CANDIDO – Hands of Fire

December 20, 2004 - 6:00 PM

A documentary film by Iván Acosta

(CANDIDO CAMERO) Now 83, Candido is a musical giant hailed as one of the greatest Cuban percussionists to come to the United States. His musical gift is a powerful, driving force as he plays percussion with fingers that demonstrate technical ability with a love for music. Even when Candido performs alone on stage, the stage seems full. Candido has played with more than two hundred great musicians such as: Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Graciela, Tito Rodriguez, Bobby Capó, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Chico O’Farrill, Ray Charles, Mongo Santamaria, John Coltrane, Randy Weston, Billy Taylor, Tony Bennett, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Frank Sinatra, Celia Cruz, Gonzalo Roig, Machito, Lecuona, among several of the most popular musicians of Cuba, Latin America and the world.

Candido is one of the very few living legends of the history of Cuban music and modern jazz. He is the only Afro Cuban Jazz percussionist that appears in The World Book Encyclopedia.

This documentary focuses on Candido’s origins, roots and contribution to the world of: Cuban music, Latin Jazz and American Jazz. And his relationship with other great musicians. Through conversations, performances, photographs, musicians testimonies, video segments and newspapers articles, Candido – Hands of Fire, grabs the audience attention for its 68 minutes length.