Manolo Badrena

Manolo Badrena (born March 17, 1952) is a Puerto Rican Latin-jazz/funk percussionist who has been active since the mid-1970s. He first emerged as a member of the 1976/77 lineup of Weather Report, playing on the albums Heavy Weather and Mr. Gone. Around the same time, he served as a studio hand for George Duke, Gino Vannelli, and Sonny Fortune. In 1977, his congas embellished two tracks on the Joni Mitchell double-album Don Juan’s Reckless Daughter.

In 1979, Badrena released his singular solo album, Manolo, on A&M. Ex-bandmate Jaco Pastorius returned favors by guesting on one track.

During the 1980s, Badrena appeared on albums by Carla Bley, Earl Klugh, Steve Khan, Billy Hart, Michael Franks, and Debbie Harry. In 1988, his percussion work graced the grooves of Naked, the final album by Talking Heads. The 1990s would see him re-team with Weather Report mastermind Joe Zawinul in the latter’s Syndicate.

Discography:

• Manolo (1979)