Saturday, March 7th, 2009 The Fonda Boricua Mourns The Passing Of Percussionist and Friend, Tavi Lopez Beloved musician and percussionist, Tavi Lopez, died on Tuesday, March 3, 2009. Born Gustavo Eliezer Lopez Rivera in Bayamon, Puerto Rico (November 6, 1953), Tavi was a gifted and versatile percussionist who has played with countless latin music greats, including Tito Allen, Adalberto Santiago and Jose Alberto "El Canario". He is survived by his mother Rufina Rivera Lopez (known by all as Doña Fina), his brother Herbert Padilla, and his daughter, Chanel Marie Lopez. Tavi was also a pivotal figure during the early days of live latin music at the Fonda Boricua (Latin Jazz Thursdays). His solid, well-anchored sense of rhythm, swing and clave was the foundation upon which so many memorable performances at the Fonda Boricua and FB Lounge depended. Tavi was a great friend of the Fonda Boricua. He was known not only for his talent but for his kindness, gentle nature, and immense humility. Which is why, while latin music may have lost one of its finest servants this week, we feel that we have lost one of our own. Jorge and I, along with the entire Fonda Boricua family, wish to extend our deepest sympathies to Tavi’s friends and family during this difficult time. Check out Tavi on bongos/cowbell during one of the original Latin Jazz Thursday jams at the Fonda Boricua Tavi on drums during an FB Lounge jam RETURN TO BLOG