The Bongo Page at RHYTHMWEB

Orlando Soto "Rolito"

Special  thanks to  Pedro Albuerne for this information. 

Orlando Soto, "Rolito", has played with Orquesta Rumbavana, and Orquesta Luis Santi, he was characterized by his high pitch tuning on his macho and by having an unusually large size, hembra 9 1/2" drum, (along with his own invention of the 5 tuning lug arrangement instead of 4, to satisfy his high pitch demands) he has an unusually clear and distinctive Martillo.  His solos both on bongos and congas were truly amazing, his conga solos can be compared with Tata Guines's and his bongos like no one else's. He played for years in an L.A night club called Mexican Village, he also played and recorded with Orquesta Mazacote in the L.A. area.