ANDY GARCIA - GARCIA PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE 'FATHER FIGURE' LOPEZ

Movie star ANDY GARCIA has paid tribute to late mambo pioneer ISRAEL 'CACHAO' LOPEZ, calling the musician a "father figure". The Ocean's Eleven star has released a statement after hearing of Lopez's death. The Cuban-born jazz musician and composer died in a Florida hospital on Monday (24Mar08). Garcia states the 89-year-old "leaves with us a legacy of extraordinary trend-setting music, and an unequalled example of humanity." He adds, "I had the great privilege of collaborating with Cachao as his producer and band member since 1990. Together we recorded four records. "I also directed a documentary on his life, entitled Cachao, como su ritmo no hay dos, set around the now legendary concert in 1990, and the film Cachao, ahora si, which chronicles his creative process." Garcia concludes by calling his collaborations and friendship with Lopez "one of the most important accomplishments of my life".