Cal Tjader

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Cal Tjader
Tjader in 1958
Background information
Birth name	Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr.
Born	(1925-07-16)July 16, 1925 St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Origin	San Mateo, California, U.S.
Died	May 5, 1982(1982-05-05) (aged 56) Manila, Philippines
Genres	Jazz Latin jazz bebop Afro jazz beautiful music
Occupation(s)	Vibraphonist composer bandleader
Instruments	Vibraphone drum kit piano timbales bongos congas
Years active	1948–1982
Labels	Fantasy Verve Skye Concord

Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. (/ˈdʒeɪdər/ JAY-dər; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, often described as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician.^[1] He explored other jazz idioms, especially small group modern jazz, even as he continued to perform music of Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Tjader played the vibraphone primarily, and was accomplished on the drums, bongos, congas, timbales, and the piano. He worked with many musicians from several cultures. He is often linked to the development of Latin rock and acid jazz. Although fusing Jazz with Latin music is often categorized as "Latin Jazz," Tjader's works swung freely between both styles. His Grammy award in 1980 for his album La Onda Va Bien capped off a career that spanned over 40 years.^[2]