Paquito HechavarrÃÂa (21 February 1939 â 27 September 2012) was a Cuban pianist. HechavarrÃÂa built his career in Cuba by playing in some of the most popular orchestras, including Conjunto Casino, Orquesta Riverside and Los Armónicos. However, he is primarily known for his later work with Miami Sound Machine, the band that catapulted Gloria Estefan to international stardom. He has collaborated with popular artists such as David Byrne, Santana and Christina Aguilera.
Paquito HechavarrÃÂa was born on 21 February 1939, in Cárdenas, Matanzas, Cuba. He moved to Havana to study piano at the Conservatory. In the 1950s, he began to play in important bands such as Orquesta Riverside, Conjunto Casino and Felipe Dulzaides y Los Armónicos. In 1960, he performed in Mongo SantamarÃÂa's Our Man in Havana and Walfredo de los Reyes' Cuban Jazz.
In 1962, HechavarrÃÂa moved to Miami. Two years later, he recorded a jazz album with percussionist Nelson "Flaco" Padrón, who was also a member of Los Armónicos and had moved to Miami as well. His first solo album, Piano sentimental came in 1965. In the 1970s, he was a member of Fly Out Band, recording the theme for ÿQué Pasa, USA?. In 1978, he played the synthesizer on Ecué: Ritmos cubanos, an album by Louie Bellson and Walfredo de los Reyes. He recorded a solo LP, Piano alegre in 1980. In 1981, he formed a descarga ensemble called Walpataca with Walfredo de los Reyes, Cachao, and Tany Gil. He continued playing alongside Cachao, and he later played with Miami Sound Machine, recording the smash hit "Conga". He continued working with Gloria Estefan, appearing in albums such as Mi Tierra, Alma Caribeña and 90 Millas. In 1995, he collaborated with fellow Cuban singer Rey Ruiz on the song "Piano" from his album of the same name which topped the Billboard Tropical Airplay chart. He recorded his last solo album, Frankly, in 2009.
Paquito HechavarrÃÂa died on 27 September 2012, in his Miami Beach apartment.
With Louis Bellson and Walfredo de los Reyes
With Jorge Cabrera y su Conjunto YumurÃÂ
With Cachao
With Miami Sound Machine and Gloria Estefan