Eddie Montalvo


Edwin "Eddie" Montalvo is an American percussionist and bandleader of Puerto Rican descent. Born and raised in the Bronx,
he is best known for playing the Congas for Hector Lavoe, Rubén Blades as well as with the Fania All-Stars.

Early career

Montalvo began playing bongo at the age of seven. He began playing bongo in the parks and with local bands. At the age of 17 he began playing professionally, first with Tony Pabon y La Protesta and Joey Pastrana. He switched to the congas when he joined Julio Romero & the Latin Jazz All-Stars. In 1979 he auditioned for the Fania All-Stars where he became the youngest member of the group, replacing one of his mentors Ray Barretto.
Montalvo has recorded with Willie Colon, Johnny Pacheco, Los Kimbos, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Cheo Feliciano, Bobby Valentin, Papo Lucca, Roberto Roena, Gilberto Santa-Rosa, Nicky Marrero, Gilbert Colon, Ismael Miranda, Johnny Pacheco as well as with Tito Rodriguez, Jr.
He played with Ruben Blades band for twelve years. Montalvo toured with Ruben Blades throughout Europe, Panama and other countries. Montalvo is on many albums such as Ruben Blades y Son Del Solar Live, Buscando America, Amor y Control, Esecenas and Siembra. In 1987 Escenas won a Grammy in the category of Best Tropical Latin Performance.
Montalvo's recording of the Siembra album with Willie Colón and Rubén Blades in 1979 remains one of the best selling salsa albums of all time. It has sold over 25 million copies, and almost all of its songs were hits at one time or another in various Latin American countries. Montalvo recorded songs such as Pedro Navaja, Cuentas Del Alma, Silencios, Buscando America, Desapariciones, Decisiones, and Todos Vuelven.

Later career

In 1995 he released his first solo album, On My Own. Thereafter he joined Joe Madera's Big Three Palladium Orchestra. In 2012 Montalvo released his second solo album, Desde Nueva York a Puerto Rico. It was nominated for a 2013 Grammy Award in the category of Best Tropical Latin Album.
Montalvo played with the Tito Nieves band for three years. Thereafter he played with the Frankie Morales orchestra.
Due to his professional experience with Hector Lavoe, Montalvo was asked to perform in and consult on the motion picture El Cantante, featuring Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez.
Latin Percussion LP named a special series of Congas in his honor called LP® Eddiemontalvo Signature Fiberglass
In addition to being a fulltime percussionist he also worked full time as a gas meter installer for over 25 years with ConEdison in New York. While at CoEdison he worked in the recovery efforts at ground zero after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center.

Discography

As leader

  • Drum Solos Vol. 1
  • Drum Solos Vol. 2
  • Drum Solos Vol. 3
  • On My Own
  • Desde Nueva York A Puerto Rico
  • Señor Tambó

As sideman

With Ruben Blades
  • Rubén Blades* & Willie Colon*- Siembra
  • Rubén Blades* & Willie Colon* – En Argentina
  • Rubén Blades* Y Seis Del Solar - Buscando América
  • Rubén Blades* Y Seis Del Solar - Escenas
  • Rubén Blades* Y Seis Del Solar - Escenas
  • Rubén Blades* Y Son Del Solar - Live!
  • Ruben Blades Con Son del Solar - Caminando
  • Rubén Blades* Con Son Del Solar - Amor y Control
With Tony Pabon
With Los Kimbos
  • Los Kimbos Con Adalberto Santiago - Los Kimbos Con Adalberto Santiago
  • The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago - The Big Kimbos With Adalberto Santiago
With Johnny Pacheco
  • Johnny Pacheco & Hector Casanova* - Los Amigos
  • Johnny Pacheco and Jose Fajardo* - Pacheco Y Fajardo
  • Johnny Pacheco & Pete "Conde" Rodriguez* - De Nuevo Los Compadres
  • Johnny Pacheco & Pete Rodriguez - Salsobita
  • Johnny Pacheco & Pete Conde Rodriguez* - Celebracion
  • Sima!
  • El Maestro: A Man and His Music
With Conjunto Classico
With Jose Mangual, Jr.
  • José Mangual Jr. Y Su Orquesta - Mangual
  • José Mangual Jr. Y Su Orquesta - Que Chevere
  • José Mangual Jr. Y Su Orquesta Con Carlos El Grande* - Lo Que Traigo Es Salsa
  • José Mangual Jr. - Latin Rhythm & Moods
  • Que Chevere
With Louie Cruz
  • Louie Cruz* - Coming Out
With Willie Colon
  • Willie Colón - Solo
With Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez
With Hector Lavoe
  • Hector Lavoe - Comedia
  • Hector Lavoe - El Sabio
  • Hector Lavoe - Que Sentimiento!
  • Tu Bien Lo Sabes
With Fania All-Stars
  • Fania All Stars - Commitment
  • Fania All Stars - Latin Connection
  • Fania All Stars - Social Change
  • Fania All Stars - Lo Que Pide La Gente
  • Fania All Stars - Habana Jam
  • Ponte Duro: The Fania All Stars Story
With Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez
  • El Rey
With Paul Simon
With Celia Cruz
  • Celia, Johnny and Pete
  • La Experiencia
With Rigo Y Su Obra Maestra
  • Rigo Y Su Obra Maestra – Rumba Pa' Rumberos
With Marty Galagarza
  • Marty Galagarza y La Conquistadora - Pinocho
With Seguida
  • Seguida - Love Is...
  • Seguida - On Our Way To Tomorrow...
Luis "Perico" Ortiz
  • Luis "Perico" Ortiz - My Own Image
With Pupi Legarreta
  • Pupi Legarreta – Pupi Pa’ Bailar
With Luigi Texidor
  • El Caballero
With Santiago Cerón
  • Canta Si Va’ Cantar
With Tito Allen
  • A Los Muchachos
With Luis Doñe Y El Conjunto Mangú Con Junior Soria
  • Mangú
With Santiago Cerón
  • Yo Soy La Ley
With Caco Senante
  • Y Después... Que Le Pongan Salsa
With Ray Martínez Y Su Sabor Criollo
  • Sabor Criollo
With Monguito El Único
  • Yo Soy La Meta
With Roberto Lugo
  • Este Es...Roberto Lugo

Filmography