Latin Jazz: Gerardo Rosales - Mazacote

How come Venezuela produces such amazing percussionists? Gerardo Rosales is now based in Holland but he hasn't let the cool climate take the heat out of his blistering bongo playing. He's as comfortable with Latin jazz as straight ahead salsa dura, like his idols Ray Barretto and Mongo Santamaria. In this clip, the band keeps it simple and slow, while Gerardo impresses on bongos and tumbadoras (congas).
Originally from Caracas, Gerardo was 13 when he started taking Afro-Caribbean percussion classes with Venezuela's top player Orlando Poleo and later studied timbales with Alfredo Borregales. Since then he has worked with Paquito D'Rivera, Cuban pianist Bebo Valdez and a host of other salsa stars.
His albums include: "La Salsa es Mi Vida" (2001), "Mongomania" a tribute to Mongo Santamaria (2005), and "El Venezolano" (1991).