Cypress Hill percussionist Eric Bobo unveils 'Maestro'

Sometimes, it's just genetic. How else to explain Eric Bobo, son of Willie, the famed Latin jazz percussionist who played with (among others) Cal Tjader, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente and Carlos Santana?

Even if the name Eric Bobo doesn't immediately ring a timbale, readers have inevitably heard his work. Probably often. He was playing with his father's band at age 5 and took it over for a year at the age of 15 after the elder Bobo passed away. Later, he joined the Beastie Boys, playing percussion during their classic "Check Your Head" and "Ill Communication" run.

Then, after meeting Cypress Hill at the 1994 Woodstock, Bobo switched to the home team and has vividly contributed to the pan-Latin flair of the act's later sounds.