The Conga Kings May 8, 2009

This 11-member rhumba group features three master congueros of Afro-Cuban music: Candido Camero (the elder statesman of congas who is a living encyclopedia of Cuban music and worked with all the jazz masters); Carlos "Patato" Valdez (icon of conga for over 50 years, touring with every major Latin artist); and Giovanni Hidalgo, current master of congas who melds Afro-Caribbean, jazz and folkloric influences with his signature style. The ensemble is under the direction of Ray Santos.