Willie Bobo: King Conga

“…the world’s outstanding percussionist. – Downbeat Magazine

This Arkadia DVD, “Willie Bobo: King Conga”, features one of the most influential infusers of Latin, Jazz, Rock and Popular music. Raised in Spanish Harlem neighborhood, William “Bobo” Correa was one of the premiere Jazz and Latin percussionists of the 1960s and ’70s, most recognized for playing Afro-Cuban Jazz.

“William Correa” joined Tito Puente’s band at the age of 19, where he was supposedly given his stage name, Willie Bobo, by piano virtuoso Mary Lou Williams after seeing him perform on timbales and congas. Bobo was given his first mainstream exposure after playing on the George Shearing album The Shearing Spell. Bobo later joined Cal Tjader’s Modern Mambo Quintet during the peak of the 1950s Mambo craze, before finally assembling his own group. After relocated to Los Angeles in the 1970s, Bobo worked with Latin Rock icon Carlos Santana, as well as for Bill Cosby’s on his variety show “Cos”, before his health began to suffer.

“Bobo is the original king of the East L.A. Latin jazz scene. Every bit as influential and godlike as Tito Puente… enough groove for a million records… If you’re not a corpse, you’ll get funky…” – Pitchfork Media

The Ad Lib Series, now available on DVD for the first time, is a collection of 46 concert TV programs presenting the best Jazz, Pop and Blues artists showcasing their skills with a Jazz flair. Seen on TV internationally, Ad Lib (filmed in 1980) was the first musical television series recorded in Stereo. Each DVD features 2 episodes of the acclaimed Ad Lib Series.

“…one of Latin music’s all-time great percussionists.” – Latin Beat Magazine

This Arkadia DVD, “Willie Bobo: King Conga”, which features two episodes of the acclaimed Ad Lib TV series, features percussion icon Willie Bobo’s imaginative sound on timbales and congas; a unique blend of musical styles that he described as “the sound a Latin cat in Harlem would dig”. However, Bobo’s artistry not only contributed to the evolution of music, but left a legacy that reaches far beyond his home neighborhood.

2 EPISODES OF THE ACCLAIMED AL LIB SERIES ON 1 DVD

Song Selection:

Show # 19:

1. Bobo’s Theme
2. Rise
3. Thus Spake Zarathustra
4. Pisces

Show # 30:

1. Love’s Theme
2. A Snort of Green
3. Keep That Same Old Feelin’
4. Mister Magic
5. Summertime

Musicians Include:

Willie Bobo: Percussion
Thurman Green: Tenor saxophone
Gary Bias: Saxophone, trumpet, and flute
David Iwataki: Piano and keyboard
Michael Sunjka: Guitar
Jeffrey Littleton: Bass
Victor Pantoja: Percussion

DVD Bonus Features:

• Willie Bobo Biography
• Ad Lib Highlights Reel (16 min.)
• Digitally Mastered Audio & Video
• Dolby Stereo Audio
• Instant Access Songs
• DVD Recommendations

DVD Length: 1 hour, plus Bonus Features