[JPL] My most cherished Mario memory

[Arturo]

I have been a fanatical fan of El Comandante for over 30 years. While still
at WDNA,Miami I had the pleasure of interviewing Mario when his only
recording as leader, El Comandante-merengue jazz for Groovin' High was
released. After a wonderful chat he confessed to me that I was the first
person to have ever ask him for an interview either, for radio or print
media. I was very surprised with his disclosure as he was a very intelligent
person, knowedgeable on a myriad of subjects. he was just a bit shy with his
command of the English languague yet he spoke it quite well and had a bit of
a stutter. Mario played Denver several times over the past 4 years as a
member of the former Tito Puente orchesta now known as the Latin Giants of
Jazz. the last time they played Denver, this past may, mario was
hospitalized and did not gig that night with the band. The Latin Giants of
Jazz are playing Baltimore this Friday night and tommorrow they will all
jump on a bus and go to NYC to pay respect to their fallen band mate who is
loved by all.

Mario's brother-Dioris is also a fine saxist who in the 90s was a part of
the Mario Bauzá Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, after their last Miami concert,
Dioris called me at home at 3Am because he had misssed the flight back to
NYC and needed assistance to re-book his flight and get to the airport.
Mario's son Phoenix is an accomplished drummer/percussionist who lived in
Miami for a while before returning back to NYC. Mario Rivera is on the
latest Arturo O'Farrill Jr. album Wonderful Discovery currently on many
station's playlists.

Arturo