Markolino diamond biography

Mark Alexander Dimond, also known as “Markolino,” was a revered and innovative pianist in the salsa music scene.
He played on Willie Colon's first album, El Malo in 1968, but he was kid who struggled with a drug addiction.
American pianist, songwriter and leader of Conjunto Sabor.

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The Life, Music, and Legacy of Markolino Dimond

Hi Tomas,

Thanks for remembering Mark Dimond.

With all due respect to Mr. Bonilla, his claim of replacing the musicians as a result of their drug use/addiction rings hollow. There is a gap between Mark Dimond being the pianist and “Professor” Joe Torres becoming the regular pianist. It’s possible he forgot as it was so long ago. Sandwiched in between Dimond and Professor’s tenures with the WAC Band was pianist Kent Gomez. Who was the pianist when Mr. Bonilla booked the band on their first West Coast tour, preceding the “Cosa Nuestra” LP. Not to fuel any aspersions towards anyone but few, if any (who came after Mark Dimond, others, and replaced them) avoided recreational drug use. However, from what I understand, Dimond was known to be in much more severe dire straits with his habit than the average musician. Eventually LaVoe himself would catch up to Dimond’s level of struggle with his addiction. Which, by 1975, gripped Hector financially.

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Markolino Dimond

When you first listen to the 1971 Fania release titled Brujeria you are treated to extraordinary musical arrangements and keyboard mastery superbly performed by Mark (Markolino) Dimond, a young man who grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side with a single mother and sister. His father, who was from Cuba, left the family when Mark was just a child. So, he learned his trade, on his own, while growing up in a challenging environment. You will also be treated to a fine performance by well-known vocalist Angel Canales, in his first recording. But it’s not until you hear Mark’s outstanding piano solos on “El Barrio” and “Aguardiente” that you can appreciate the talents of this, then, blossoming star.

As you listen to additional tracks on this album, you’ll begin to appreciate the swing that his band gets into under Mark’s direction. With the backing of an excellent horn section that includes Juan Torres and Richie Montanez on trombone; Danny Reyes on trumpet; and a fine ensemble of percussionists like Louis Rivera on bongos and Antonio Tapia on congas, th

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Brujeria
CD (Fania / Emusica - Remastered Edition 130 123), Released 1971; Re-Issued 2006

I am a considerable admirer of the inventive African American pianist, arranger and composer Mark "Markolino" Dimond and arch vocal stylist Angel Canales. Despite appearances this was Dimond's debut as a leader initially issued in 1971 under the title Brujeria on the Vaya label…Larry Harry and Johnny Pacheco were the co-producers and co-recording directors and Harvey Averne was the executive producer.
Larry wrote in the liner notes to Brujeria: "I first heard Mark 'Markolino' Dimond play three years ago with a new band called Willie Colón y su Orchestra. At that time I thought, 'One day he will have a band of his own.' That day has come. Conjunto Sabor is Mark's band. He has written all the music, lyrics and arrangements for this album. It is all Mark Dimond. His piano playing, a cross between typical Cuban and progressive jazz, is superb. He has chosen Angel Canales for his singer. Although it is Angel's first recording, you would hav