Composer, conductor and drumnmer who began his career as a dance instructor. He joined the orchestras of, first, Stan Kenton (first bongo drummer) and later that of Nat King Cole. He played in night clubs and hotels with Peggy Lee, Xavier Cugat, Frank Sinatra, Danny Kaye, and Eddie Fisher, and he later organized his own band, and made many records. Joining ASCAP in 1957, his chief musical collaborators included Eddie Cano and Paul Lopez. His popular-song and instrumental compositions include "I Want (Quiere)", "Bongo Blues", "Drumarama", "Go Bongo", and "El Diablito".