Pello El Afrokán was born in 1933, not long after the dictator Machado was finished He was the grandson of African Mandingos who was an elder percussionist and conguerro (conga player). He knew and played all the African based rhythms on the island. Pello is quoted as saying, “That’s the blood running through my veins,” as well as, “My father was one of the first percussionists in Belisario López’ band. I’m a cousin of Mongo Santamaría and we grew up playing rumba and congas and congas together in the same neighborhood in Havana barrio of Jesús María. They were both well known as the top “rumberos” or rumba players when they were younger as well. Pello and others told us that when Pello would play the streets would crowd up to see him and dance to his music as well!
