Nicky Marrero (born June 17, 1950) – Desafio (Challenge) (1976)

This stellar jam by the Fania All-Stars was produced by Gene Page, featuring the master percussionist who appeared on countless classic salsa and jazz-funk LP's.

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Nicky Marrero is a salsa percussionist who played with the Fania All Stars in the early 1970s.

Born in the Bronx, Marrero first appeared on an album when he was 17 years old, playing timbales on trombonist and band leader Willie Colón’s 1967 debut LP El Malo. Released on Fania Records, it also featured Pablo Rosario on bongos and Hector Lavoe on lead vocals. One highlight was the swinging opening cut “Jazzy.”

In 1970 he played timbales and percussion on pianist Eddie Palmieri’s Justicia album, including the socially conscious cut “Everything Is Everything.”

Although not one of the original Fania All-Stars who began recording under that name in 1968, Marrero became an All-Star in the early seventies and performed at their legendary Yankee Stadium concert on August 24, 1973. He was featured on their subsequent albums for Fania and Columbia Records, including Delicate And Jumpy (1976), with its stellar single “Desafio (Challenge).” It was written and produced by the great Gene Page.

Happy Birthday to the great Nicky Marrero.

Further info:

“5 Latin Pianists Taking Salsa's Beat Uptown,” The New York Times, April 4, 1986.

“Fans and Friends Say Goodbye to Their Mambo King (Tito Puente),” The New York Times, June 2, 2000.

“Les Moncada Chats with “Timbalero Monster” Nicky Marrero,” interview, World Music Central, December 18, 2016.

#soul #funk #salsa #NewYorkCity #FaniaAllStars #NickyMarrero