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Cal Radcliffe Tjader

Callen Radcliffe Tjader Jr. ( JAY-dər; July 16, 1925 – May 5, 1982) was an American Latin Jazz musician, often described as the most successful non-Latino Latin musician. He explored other jazz idioms, especially small group modern jazz, even as he continued to perform music of Africa, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

Although his main instrument was the vibraphone, Tjader was also accomplished on the drums, bongos, congas, timbales, and the piano. He worked with many musicians from several cultures. He is often linked to the development of Latin rock and acid jazz. Although the fusion of Jazz with Latin music is often pigeonholed as "Latin Jazz", Tjader's works swung freely between both styles. His Grammy award in 1980 for his album La Onda Va Bien capped off a career that spanned over 40 years.

Birth and Death Data: Born St. Louis (independent city in Missouri, United States), Died May 5, 1982 (Manila (capital city of the Philippines) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
OKeh 8766 10-in. 11/29/1924 Spring has come (And I'm alone) Arcadia Peacock Orchestra of St. Louis Jazz/dance band composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Tjader, Cal Radcliffe," accessed December 24, 2025, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103027.

Tjader, Cal Radcliffe. (2025). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved December 24, 2025, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103027.

"Tjader, Cal Radcliffe." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2025. Web. 24 December 2025.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/103027

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