Photograph by
Unidentified
Subject of
Pozo, Chano, Cuban, 1915 - 1948
Owned by
Barretto, Ray, American, 1929 - 2006
Manufactured by
Luminocen Gloss, Puerto Rican
Date
1987
Medium
lacquer on ink on paper (fiber product) on wood
Dimensions
H x W: 12 1/2 × 18 1/2 in. (31.8 × 47 cm)
Description
A large plaque outlined in a brown, thick line around the edge. There are two black and white, almost sepia, photographs of Luciano "Chano Pozo" Gonzales, side by side, also with a thick, white border around each. Presumably, both were taken at the same time as Chano Pozo is wearing dark colored trousers, a light-colored long sleeve shirt, a single thin suspender over his right side, and a loose and wide pattered bowtie in both photographs.
In the left photograph, Chano Pozo holds the conga at a 45-degree angle, with his right hand near the head of the conga drum and his left hand near his face. In the upper right corner of the left photograph is a handwritten, silver inscription in Spanish which reads [J. Cartoae {illegible} / "Latin Jazz" / "Club" / Playa de Ponce / --o--].
In the right photograph, Chano Pozo holds the conga at a nearly 180 degrees, with his right hand parallel to his chest and his left hand on the conga’s head. In the upper left corner of the photograph is a handwritten, silver inscription in Spanish which reads: [A / Ray Baretto / gran exponente / de nuestra / musica afro-antillana.] or in English: “To / Ray Barretto / great performer / of our / afro-caribbean music". In the bottom left corner is a handwritten, silver inscription in Spanish which reads: [Con / mucha / admiracion / de / J. Cartoae {illegible} / Playa de Ponce / 12-12-87] or in English: “With / much / admiration / from / J. Cartoae {illegible} / Playa de Ponce / 12-12-87.”
In the bottom center of the two photographs is a black plaque with silver engravings that reads: [RUMBERO CUBANO / LUCIANO GONZALEZ / "CHANO POZO" 1915-1948 / COMPOSITOR DE: / "MANTECA" "TIN TIN DEO" "NAGUE" / "BLEM. BLEM. BLEM" "WACHI WARA" "PIM-PIM"] or in English: “CUBAN RUMBERO / LUCIANO GONZALEZ / "CHANO POZO" 1915-1948 / COMPOSER OF: / “MANTECA” “TIN TIN DEO” “NAGUE” / “BLEM. BLEM. BLEM” “WACHI WARA” “PIM-PIM”.”
The back of the plaque is a light-colored wood, which at the top center holds a fastened silver sawtooth hanger with a tied piece of white string. At the bottom right corner, it is stamped with the manufacturer information [LUMINOCEN GLOSS / SOMOS #1 EN LAMINADOS / UNION 117 PONCE, P.R. / 840-3875].
The signed plaque was gifted to Ray Barretto.
Place made
Playa de Ponce, Puerto Rico, United States, Caribbean, Latin America, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Movement
Nuyorican Movement
Type
commemorative plaques
Topic
Instrumentalists (Musicians)
Jazz (Music)
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Brandy and Chris Barretto, in memory of Ray Barretto
Object number
A2020.52.1.7
Restrictions & Rights
Unknown – Restrictions Possible
Rights assessment and proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd587c57a70-2367-46c2-9715-680f09e2dcb1

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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