Callen Radcliffe Tjader, Jr. a.k.a. Cal Tjader (July 16, 1925–May 5, 1982) was a Latin jazz musician, though he also explored various other jazz idioms. Unlike other American jazz musicians who experimented with the music from Cuba, the Caribbean, and Latin America, he never abandoned it, performing it until his death.My favourite Jazz/Lounge artist at the moment. I love the tropical sounds of the Vibraphone and nobody plays the instrument better than him. He's released a lot of albums and they are all of a consistently high quality.
Tjader primarily played the vibraphone. He was also accomplished on the drums, bongos, congas, timpani, and the piano. He worked with numerous musicians from several cultures. He is often linked to the development of Latin rock and acid jazz. Although fusing jazz with Latin music is often categorized as "Latin jazz" (or, earlier, "Afro-Cuban jazz"), Tjader's output swung freely between both styles.
He won a Grammy in 1980 for his album La Onda Va Bien, capping off a career that spanned over forty years. (Wikipedia)
This isn't necessarily his best as you'd need a box set of about 4 cds to do full justice to his catalog but these are tunes I think that have a really nice tropical groove. The tracks have been remastered for your listening pleasure.
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