Eddie Montalvo
Fania All-Stars
Eddie 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[5] 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.
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.
