Ray Mantilla and the New Space Station September 17, 2010

Born in the South Bronx in 1934, Ray Mantilla was playing salsa on the conga drums with Ray Barretto and Eddie Palmieri by the time he was 21. He has performed in Europe, Japan, Puerto Rico, and many of the major New York City clubs. Appearing on more than 200 recordings including six as band leader, Mantilla has played with legendary artists including Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, Max Roach, Tito Puente, and Freddie Hubbard.