RIP Ralph Irrizary – Master Timbalero for Ray Barretto, Ruben Blades, Timbalaye, Son Cafe and others.

Master Timbalero Ralph Irrizary(pictured left) passed away on Sunday, September 5th. He died due to complications caused by a degenerative muscular disease. He was 67. Irrizary was a Grammy award winning percussionist, bandleader and studio musician who has played on jingles, film and television scores and who was known for his fluid, distinctive playing style has made an indelible mark on those artists with whom he has performed. He has performed, recorded and toured with the likes of Harry Belafonte, David Byrne, Celia Cruz, Paquito D’Rivera, Juan Luis Guerra, Earl Klugh, Israel Lopez “Cachao”, Wynton Marsalis, Paul Simon, Jimmy Bosch and many others.

Irrizary was featured in the film “The Mambo Kings“, Cachao’s “Como Mi Ritmo No Hay Dos” and “The Life Of Ruben Blades“. He also appeared on television on the Johnny Carson Show and the David Letterman Show as well as Don Francisco’s Sabado Gigante and Raul Velasco’s Siempre En Domingo.

Irrizary was born in New York’s Spanish Harlem. He relocated to Puerto Rico in 1970. There, he spent three years gaining musical training and experience and eventually joined La Terrifica as well as playing with El Gran Combo and Sonora Ponceña. Irrizary’s big break came when Ray Barretto invited him to join his orchestra. He recorded six albums with Barretto before leaving to join Ruben Blades to form the Seis Del Solar band. He stayed with Blades for 14 years and for 8 recordings before Blades left the band. Blades encouraged the band to stay together. The group continued performing and recorded two latin jazz albums.

Irrizary was also known for leading two fine bands, the inventive Latin Jazz of Timbalaye and the typical Salsa swing of Son Cafe. Timbalaye was a septet with Latin percussion instruments instead of a typical drum set. Their innovative music was captured on recordings from 1998 through 2015 when they released their 20th Anniversary recording. Son Cafe recording two swinging cds: “Tributo” which gave tributes to Irrizary’s musical heroes and “Bailando Con Azucar” showcasing the band’s three trumpet sound.

There was a benefit for Irrizary just a few weeks ago in New York to raise funds for his living expenses since he has been in a wheelchair and was unable to play due to the disease for several years. Irrizary made a lot of bright musical moments during his career. RIP to one of the great musicians in Latin Music…Ralph Irrizary. My condolences to his family.