Skip to main content

© 2026 WEKU

NPR for Central and Eastern Kentucky

Support WEKU!

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

WEKU's Summer fundraiser is underway! Help us close out the 1850 campaign! We are now just 115 away from reaching this goal of 1850 new supporters donating at least $10 a month. Existing supporters can help by increasing their monthly support by $10, and that will count towards the goal. Click here to join the campaign!

Remembering Mongo Santamaria

NPR | By Elizabeth Blair

Published February 3, 2003 at 12:00 AM EST

Jazz percussionist Mongo Santamaria dies on Feb. 1 at 85. Santamaria scored a Top-10 hit with his version of Herbie Hancock's jazz-funk classic "Watermelon Man" in 1963. He also wrote the song "Afro Blue," later performed and made famous by John Coltrane. NPR's Elizabeth Blair has a remembrance.

Copyright 2003 NPR

Elizabeth Blair

Elizabeth Blair is a Peabody Award-winning senior producer/reporter on the Arts Desk of NPR News.

See stories by Elizabeth Blair

Support nonprofit, fact-based public service journalism

WEKU depends on support from those who view and listen to our content. There's no paywall here. Please support WEKU with your donation.

Contribute now

Related Content

NPR News

U.S. strikes Iran in response to a drone attack on a ship

The Associated Press

The U.S. struck Iran on Friday in response to a drone attack a day earlier on a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz. It's the most significant test yet to an interim understanding reached a week ago by the two countries.
NPR News

Pete Buttigieg and his kids subject to CPS, police investigation after false report

Elena Moore

Buttigieg, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, shared his family's experience when police and Child Protective Services came to his home investigating an anonymous tip that was false.
John Cena describes how his feelings about death have changed over time

Each week, a guest draws a card from NPR's Wild Card deck and answers a big question about their life. After 24 years in the WWE ring, John Cena retired from professional wrestling last year.
NPR News

5 million have dropped ACA insurance after Trump and the GOP let prices skyrocket

Selena Simmons-Duffin

The number of people who signed up for a health plan and then didn't pay their premium fell much more sharply than it has in years past. Trump officials blame fraud. Health policy experts blame costs.
Venezuelans in Colombia rally to help as deadly earthquakes devastate homeland

Manuel Rueda

As the death toll from the Venezuelan earthquakes more than doubles, rescue workers continue to search through the rubble for survivors amid worsening conditions and collapsing infrastructure.