Biography

Originating from St. Louis but with Swedish roots, Tjader is one of the most well known vibraphonists in jazz. Before becoming known as a vibes player, Tjader showcased his drumming talents alongside Dave Brubeck. One of his first breaks as vibraphonist was with George Shearing. After working with Shearing and Brubeck, he unexpectedly broke out as one of the most prominent figures on New York's vibrant Latin jazz scene. Tjader's unique musical style blends West Coast Cool with Latin rhythms. One of his notable accomplishments was reaching the lower ranks of the US Hot 100 chart in 1965 with his single "Soul Sauce," a revamped version of Dizzy Gillespie's Afro-Cuban groove, "Guachi Guaro."