Edwin "Eddie" Montalvo (born 25 September 1952) is an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Born and raised in the
Bronx,[1]
he best known for playing the
Congas for
Hector Lavoe,
Rubén Blades as well as with the
Fania All-Stars.[2]
Early career
Montalvo began playing
bongo at the age of seven. He began playing bongo in the parks and with local bands. At the age of 17 he began playing professionally, first with
Tony Pabon y La Protesta and Joey Pastrana.[3] He switched to the congas when he joined Julio Romero & the Latin Jazz All-Stars. In 1979 he auditioned for the Fania All-Stars where he became the youngest member of the group, replacing one of his mentors
Ray Barretto.[4]
Montalvo's recording of the
Siembra album with Willie Colón and Rubén Blades in 1979 remains one of the best selling salsa albums of all time.[8] It has sold over 25 million copies, and almost all of its songs were hits at one time or another in various Latin American countries.[9] Montalvo recorded songs such as
Pedro Navaja,Cuentas Del Alma, Silencios, Buscando America, Desapariciones, Decisiones, and Todos Vuelven.
Later career
In 1995 he released his first solo album, On My Own. Thereafter he joined Joe Madera's Big Three Palladium Orchestra. In 2012 Montalvo released his second solo album, Desde Nueva York a Puerto Rico. It was nominated for a 2013
Grammy Award in the category of Best Tropical Latin Album.
Montalvo played with the
Tito Nieves band for three years. Thereafter he played with the Frankie Morales orchestra.
Due to his professional experience with Hector Lavoe, Montalvo was asked to perform in and consult on the motion picture
El Cantante, featuring
Marc Anthony and
Jennifer Lopez.
Latin Percussion
LP named a special series of Congas in his honor called LP® EDDIEMONTALVO SIGNATURE FIBERGLASS [10]
In addition to being a fulltime percussionist he also worked full time as a gas meter installer for over 25 years with
ConEdison in New York.[11]
Discography
As leader
Drum Solos Vol. 1 (1978, LP Ventures)
Drum Solos Vol. 2 (1978, LP Ventures)
Drum Solos Vol. 3 (1973, LP Ventures)
On My Own (1995, Castro Records)
Desde Nueva York A Puerto Rico (2012, Señor Marcha Records)