Credited as the pioneer of the dynamic Afro-Cuban dance style known as mambo, Israel 'Cachao' Lopez was one of the most important and influential figures in 20th-century Cuban music. A virtuoso double bass player with a thrilling ability to improvise, as well as an inventive composer, he began developing the mambo sound with his late brother Orestes 'Macho' Lopez in the late 1930s in Havana by speeding up and syncopating older and more stately Cuban dance styles.

By the 1950s mambo was exerting a significant influence on American jazz, and in 1962, Cachao - the only name by which he was known in musical circles - moved to the United States. He lived there for the rest of his life and collaborated with most of the biggest US-based Latin music stars, including Tito Puente, Chico O'Farrill, Willie Colon, Celia Cruz, Eddie Palmieri and Glora Estefan.'

Israel 'Cachao' Lopez was born on 14 September 1918 and died on 22 March 2008, at the age of 89. This duo was commissioned by David Heyes for Bass-Fest in late March 2008 and it was completed on 6 April. It was premiered on 20 April 2008 at Wells Cathedral School (Somerset, UK) by Mette Hanskov and David Heyes, during the final concert of Bass-Fest @ Wells.

Danzon Mambo is a work of inspired imagination and is full of Cuban dance rhythms and styles. A strong and driving rhythmic momentum pervades the duet and there are musical and technical challenges in equal measure. If you enjoyed 'Grooves for Ray' [RM309] you will love this. Enjoy!

Score and two bass parts included.

Tony Osborne is an important educationalist and prolific composer who has made a significant and unique contribution to the double bass repertoire over the past 35 years. His solo music for young bassists is included by many international examination boards, and his many ensembles pieces are performed at workshops and concerts throughout the world. Tony Osborne notes the influences of Gershwin, Copland and Bernstein, alongside some of the Russian masters, on his music, which he combines with a jazzy, rhythmic and energetic style that has been popular with players and audiences worldwide.

Born in 1947 into a musical family, Tony Osborne studied at the Royal Academy of Music (London) with John Walton (double bass) and Richard Stoker (composition), and divides a busy career between composing, teaching and performing. A very prolific composer and arranger, Tony's original compositions include works in almost every genre, notably Chaconne Syncopations and Wainwright's Ways for brass quintet, Celebration Fanfare for brass ensemble, the musical A Fine Time for Wine, a beautiful and dramatic Requiem and many works for string orchestra.

In 2001 Tony Osborne was elected an ARAM (Associate of the Royal Academy of Music) for his pioneering and important work for double bass, and has been a featured composer at Bass-Fest for the past decade. He was a very successful BIBF Composer-in-residence in 2002-3 and wrote a number of impressive and innovative works for the project. He has been a judge for the British Composer Awards over the past few years and has been a judge for the BIBF Composition Competition since 1999. Recital Music is planning a major festival of Tony Osborne's music in 2012, to celebrate the composer's 65th birthday, and has formulated a 10-year project to publish all his works for double bass.
www.tony-osborne.com