Chanchullo

Tito Puente recorded “Chanchullo” himself in 1959, several years before writing his own “Oye Como Va” (1962/63) — the repeating block-chord piano tumbao in “Oye Como Va” was most likely directly borrowed from this composition, per music historian Max Salazar’s research. Cachao received no formal credit on “Oye Como Va,” though Puente publicly denied deliberately copying him despite the widely acknowledged similarity. No lyrics reproduced.

When later informed of the uncredited connection — after Puente and Santana had reportedly even argued between themselves over who “owned” the tune, before realizing it traced back to Cachao — Cachao reportedly waved it off, saying in effect to leave it be, they’re just kids, rather than pursue any claim. Andy García has recounted asking Cachao about this himself and receiving the same characteristically humble response.

“Chanchullo” likely originated from an earlier composition from Cachao’s prolific 1937–1950 writing period with his brother Orestes. Most sources credit Cachao specifically, though musicologist Helio Orovio has credited his brother instead — an honest note of some pre-existing ambiguity within this earlier layer.

Cachao won multiple Grammy Awards, received a star on the Walk of Fame in Union City, New Jersey, a Hispanic Heritage Award, and honors from the Smithsonian Institution — for his broader career revival in the 1990s and 2000s, not specifically tied to resolving the Oye Como Va credit situation.