Celso Clemente
In Memoriam
Overview
Celso Clemente Jr. was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico. During his childhood and under the guidance of his father, Celso Clemente Sr., young Celso was introduced to the world of music. In 1973, at the age of nine, Celso made his first big band presentation at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in Puerto Rico beside Giovanni Hidalgo with the Roberto Roena Orchestra. When Celso turned twelve years old, he participated in his first recording named “Borinquen All-Stars” with the great Puertorican trumpet player and band leader Mr. Elias Lopés. Salsa great Gilberto Santarosa was the lead singer in that project. From that moment Celso played freelance with many orchestras until he became a member of the “Tommy Olivencia” Orchestra where he played timbales and also at other times bongos. He toured for six years with that Orchestra to many places including the US, Panama, Mexico, Colombia and Venezuela. During the 90’s salsa boom, Celso joined the Tony Vega Orchestra which also toured all over the world.
Celso Clemente is touted as one of the best sounding bongo players which got the attention of many record producers. Celso is probably the most recorded bongo player in the history of Puertorican salsa discography with over 220 credited recordings. The list of salsa legends that Celso has recorded with is too long to list. Celso is currently the timbal player and band leader of the famous salsa artist Tito Rojas. Celso tours regularly with Tito Rojas to all parts of the world.
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