1. Rafael Ithier: He is a Puerto Rican musician, composer, and bandleader known for his work with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. Ithier is considered one of the most influential figures in salsa music and is renowned for his maraca playing.
2. Gilberto Santa Rosa: A salsa singer and pianist from Puerto Rico, Santa Rosa is also known for his maraca playing. He has won multiple Latin Grammy Awards and is widely regarded as one of the most respected salsa performers.
3. Tito Puente: A seminal figure in Latin jazz, Puente was a Puerto Rican percussionist, bandleader, composer, and arranger. He is recognized as one of the pioneers of Latin music and contributed significantly to the development of the genre. Puente was also known for his skillful maraca playing.
4. Richie Ray: A Puerto Rican pianist, bandleader, and composer, Richie Ray is one-half of the renowned salsa duo Richie Ray & Bobby Cruz. Ray is not only an accomplished pianist but also a talented maraca player.
5. Manny Oquendo: A Puerto Rican percussionist, bandleader, and producer, Oquendo is highly respected in the Latin music scene. He has collaborated with numerous renowned artists and is recognized for his versatility and exceptional skills on the maracas.
6. Ismael Rivera: A legendary Puerto Rican salsa singer, known as "El Sonero Mayor," Rivera was also a talented maraca player. His music had a profound impact on salsa and Latin music in general, and he remains one of the most celebrated figures in the genre.
7. Ray Barretto: An American musician of Puerto Rican descent, Barretto was a percussionist, bandleader, and composer who made significant contributions to Latin jazz and salsa. His maraca playing was an essential element in his music.
8. Roberto Roena: A Puerto Rican percussionist, bandleader, and singer, Roena is widely recognized for his work with El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. He is a highly accomplished maraca player and has influenced numerous musicians in the genre.
9. Giovanni Hidalgo: A Puerto Rican percussionist, Hidalgo is renowned for his mastery of many percussion instruments, including the maracas. He has performed and recorded with numerous renowned artists and is considered one of the most influential percussionists in Latin music.
10. Paquito D'Rivera: A Cuban-born American saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer, D'Rivera is highly regarded in the Latin jazz scene. He is also a skilled maraca player and has showcased his talent in various musical projects.