'Marvelous Jew' brings out the Latin beat

For more than 40 years, Larry Harlow has been affectionately known in the Latin music world as "El Judio Maravilloso" ("the marvelous Jew"), a pianist, songwriter, producer and arranger with an unerring feeling for clave, Latin music's five-stroke beat, and an ear for hits.

Mr. Harlow helped create the Fania Records sound that came to define salsa and also discovered and shaped the careers of many of the genre's top stars, like the singer Ismael Miranda. His own work for the label ranges from snappy dance numbers to an ambitious suite called "La Raza Latina."

"Larry is a gringo with clave, who understands and respects our music, but also knows how to be innovative," said the Panamanian singer and actor Ruben Blades, who has sung with Mr. Harlow's band.