Johnny Otis (1921-2012) had quite the resume: singer, musician, composer, arranger, bandleader, talent scout, disc jockey, record producer, television show host, artist, author, journalist, minister, and impresario. Beside being a major influence on R&B and rock and roll, his various resumes usually includes mention of the fact that he had a talent for finding other artists like Little Esther, Big Mama Thornton, Jackie Wilson, Little Willie John and Hank Ballard.
His last single charted in 1969, but he managed to stay busy in journalism, the ministry, and politics, among other pursuits. In fact, during the ’60s he lost a race for a seat in the California State Assembly and was chief of staff for Democratic Congressman Mervyn M. Dymally.
An important figure in the origins of popular music, and an interesting fellow who lived to the age of 90s, Otis died in 2012.
In 1951, he released “Mambo Boogie.” As you can hear below, it features all manner of latin percussion: congas, maracas, claves. Apparently, this was also the very first R&B mambo ever recorded, though I am not quite sure how you would distinguish an R&B mambo.
Otis wrote this one, which was the B-side of a single with “Gee Baby” (Mel Walker) as the A-side, on the Savoy label.