Long John Oliva: jazz rumbero

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2002

Born in Havana, Cuba, Juan "Long John" Oliva was raised in Belén, surrounded by the sounds of traditional Afro-Cuban music and its rhythms. His father, master percussionist Pancho Quinto, started his son's percussion training at the young age of three. By the time he was 15, Oliva was already studying with two of Cuba's greatest master percussionists--Tata Güines and Changuito, as well as attending the "Conservatorio de la Havana Amadeo Roldan." During his studies at the conservatory he discovered the world of jazz music, which changed his outlook on music forever. He was greatly influenced by the music of Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock and John Coltrane. Cuban jazz-influenced bands such as the Cuban Jazz Ensemble and Irakere further fueled his appetite for jazz music.

In 1980, anxious to play, Oliva relocated to New York City to pursue his music career, performing with the groups of "Orlando Rios Puntilla" and "Nueva Generación." Next he ventured to the island of Puerto Rico, where he joined the historical progressive ensemble "Batacumbele" with Puerto Rican percussionists Cachete Maldonado and Giovanni Hidalgo. While in Puerto Rico, he also co-founded another very important cultural musical ensemble called "Zaperoko."

By 1986, Oliva found himself in California performing with the late great Latin jazz legend Willie Bobo. It was Bobo who baptized Oliva "Long John," for his ability to play lengthy conga solos. After the passing of Willie Bobo, Oliva continued his career, performing with bands such as Strunz and Farah, Arturo Sandoval, Jackson Browne and Kenny Loggins. In the city of Los Angeles he brought his percussive talents and savvy to salsa bands, Latin jazz ensembles and eclectic groups such as "Mango Bang." Currently, Oliva leads his own group, the "AC Jazz Project" (from Los Angeles), which blends contemporary jazz forms with Afro-Cuban rhythms. They ate presently touring and promoting their latest CD recording, Lucumí.

(Long John Oliva plays Toca Percussion and Paiste cymbals).