Robert Navarro “Mucho Mambo”

Legendary Latin music producer and jazz pianist Robert Navarro presents Mucho Mambo, an exploration of the Mambo style of music from its invention in Havana in the 1930s to its rise in popularity in the 40s and 50s and beyond.

Born in New York City, Robert Navarro studied jazz piano under Jackie Byrd, graduating from City College with a BFA in Music and earning his Masters from NYU. In 1982, Navarro formed Grupo Fascinacion and later, the aspiring Latin artist produced records for the Dominican artist Santiago Ceron and Charanga America. Working with the well-known and celebrated bandleader Eddie Palmieri, Navarro later recorded and co-produced a project for The Ballet Hispanico Puertorriqueno. Over his career, the Grammy-winning artist has toured with Ray Barreto, Celia Cruz, and Frankie Ruiz. In addition to composing, producing, and mastering recordings, Navarro teaches music to students in Port St. Lucie.

In Mucho Mambo, Robert Navarro pays tribute to the founder of the Mambo style of music, Israel “Cachao” Lopez. Lopez, a bassist, was a musician and composer who played Mambo in the Cuban capital during the 1930s. As Mambo developed, artists such as Demaso Perez Prado and Beny More brought the genre to America and around the world. Mucho Mambo will feature an ensemble of Latin percussion as well as a medley of famous Mambo arrangements from the 20th century.