Candido Camero (1921–2020), known simply as Candido, was a pioneering Cuban percussionist celebrated for bringing the conga drum into jazz, Latin, and popular music. After moving to New York in the 1940s, he collaborated with legends such as Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, and Tito Puente, blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz improvisation. Renowned for his innovative multi-conga technique and infectious rhythmic flair, Candido earned numerous honors, including a NEA Jazz Masters Award, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential percussionists in modern music.