Jerry González, Latin Jazz Visionary, Dies After House Fire
The percussionist, trumpeter and leader of the Fort Apache Band suffered cardiac arrest from smoke inhalation. He was 69 years old.
Jerry González, a percussionist and trumpeter who embodied the convergent spirit of modern Latin jazz, primarily as cofounder and leader of the Fort Apache Band, died Monday in Madrid, Spain. He was 69.
González's death was confirmed by his record label, Sunnyside Records.
The Spanish newspaper El País reported the cause was cardiac arrest caused by smoke inhalation from a fire at his home. González moved to Madrid in 2000, after visiting the city to promote Calle 54, an acclaimed Latin jazz documentary in which he appears.
A charismatic artist who cut an iconic silhouette — rarely, could be framed as persuasive testimony for a form of Latin jazz that honors both sides of that equation.
