Manteca (song)

"Manteca" was co-written by Dizzy Gillespie and Chano Pozo in 1947. It was one of the first examples of Afro-Cuban influences being incorporated into mainstream jazz. The piece referred to racist tensions in America when Dizzy Gillespie is heard singing, "I'll never go back to Georgia".

In 1965, the Joe Cuba Sextet got their first crossover hit with the Latin and soul fusion of "El Pito (I Never Go Back To Georgia)". The "Never Go Back To Georgia" chant was taken from Dizzy Gillespie's introduction to this seminal Afro-Cuban tune, "Manteca".^[1]

Since 1990, Phish occasionally plays a live version of "Manteca" with original lyrics. Live performances usually include dancing by Trey Anastasio and/or Mike Gordon. The song is also featured on their 1992 studio album A Picture of Nectar.^[2]

References

1. ^ Gonzalez, David, "Mourning Joe Cuba, a Bandsman Whose Legacy Was Joy", The New York Times, February 19, 2009
2. ^ http://phish.net/song/manteca/history