Luciano Pozo González (January 7, 1915 – December 3, 1948), known professionally as Chano Pozo, was a Cuban jazz percussionist, singer, dancer, and composer. Despite only living to age 33, he played a major role in the founding of Latin jazz. He co-wrote some of Dizzy Gillespie‘s Latin-flavored compositions, such as “Manteca” and “Tin Tin Deo”, and was the first Latin percussionist in Gillespie’s band.

Luciano “Chano” Pozo González was born in Havana to Cecelio González and Carnación Pozo. Chano grew up with three sisters and a brother, as well as his older half brother, Félix Chappottín, who would later become one of the great Cuban soneros. The family struggled with poverty throughout his youth. His mother died when Chano was eleven, and Cecelio took his family to live with his long-time mistress, Natalia, who was Felix’s mother.

Chano Pozo was shot and killed on December 2, 1948, in the El Rio Bar at 111th St and Lenox Avenue in Harlem.^[1] The El Rio Bar no longer exists — even the small triangular block where it was located has been removed. Pozo’s killer was a local bookie named Eusebio “Cabito” Munoz. Pozo is buried in the Colón Cemetery, Havana.