National Geographic Music (National Geographic)

Cuban legend Israel "Cachao" Lopez will make a rare U.S. appearance the New York's famed Blue Note, December 1-3. Performing two shows nightly, Cachao will be celebrating his 80th year in show business.

Israel "Cachao" Lopez has been creating Cuban music since he was 8 years old. Born into a musical family in Havana in 1918, he was conservatory-trained and played with the world renowned Filarmonica de Habana at age 13. The young Cachao, too short to reach the bridge of his double bass, would often perch on a soap box during performances by the orchestra.

Today, he cradles the instrument as though he were its doting grandfather. An ironic background for the recipient of last year's Billboard "New Artist of the Year" Award. In 1939, Cachao and his late brother Orestes created a new form with their song "Mambo." Faster than the traditional styles it was derived from, the mambo spurred on a new dance craze and introduced Machito, Perez Prado and Mongo to the Americanos del Norte, leading to the embracing of so-called "Afro-Cuban" music by Dizzy Gillespie and other jazz musicians. In 1995 Cachao was recognized for his lifetime in music with a Grammy Win for his Master Sessions, Vol. 1 album.

For more information on Cachao's upcoming shows, including ticketing and showtimes, please consult the Blue Note website.