Johnny “Dandy” Rodríguez (1945–2024) was a New York bongosero who played with Tito Puente for more than 30 years, co-founded Típica 73 and recorded with Celia Cruz, Ray Barretto, Tito Rodríguez and Machito.
Armando Peraza (c. 1924–2014) taught himself the conga on the streets of Havana and went on to play with Charlie Parker, George Shearing, Cal Tjader and, for nearly 20 years, Carlos Santana.
