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Joe Bataan
Dubbed the "King of Latin Soul", Joe Bataan achieved a synthesis of Latin
rhythms, soul, Afro-Cuban jazz and funk. Born Bataan Nitollano to an
Afro-American mother and a Filipino father in Spanish Harlem (New York City) on
November 15, 1942, he left the gang life of the neighborhood to form the group
Joe Bataan & the Latin Swingers in 1966, influenced by soul and boogaloo, a
style of Latin R&B created by the Puerto Rican community. Signed to Fania
Records in 1966, the self-taught pianist produced a series of albums under his
own name, including Subway Joe (1967), Gypsy Woman (196...
