Remembering the great Cal Tjader on his birthday (July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982). He is known as one of the most successful musicians who played Latin music, although he explored other jazz idioms, even as he continued to perform the music of Cuba, the Caribbean, Mexico and Latin America for the rest of his life. Tjader played the vibraphone primarily. Although fusing jazz with Latin music is often categorized as "Latin jazz," Tjader's works swung freely between both styles. His Recording Academy

Cal Tjader is considered the most successful non-Latino Latin musician in jazz. Born in St. Louis, Missouri to touring Swedish American vaudevillians, Tjader's parents settled in California, and opened a dance studio. His mother instructed him in classical piano and his father taught him to tap dance. He performed around the Bay Area as "Tjader Junior," a tap-dancing wunderkind. But Cal wanted to play the drums. After coming out of the Navy, he went to San Francisco State College where he met Da

Cal Tjader is considered the most successful non-Latino Latin musician in jazz. Born in St. Louis, Missouri to touring Swedish American vaudevillians, Tjader's parents settled in San Mateo, California, and opened a dance studio. His mother instructed him in classical piano and his father taught him to tap dance. He performed around the Bay Area as "Tjader Junior," a tap-dancing wunderkind. The Mambo craze of the 1950s facilitated the formation of the “Modern Mambo Quintet.” Tjader was so popular