Tag: afro cuban
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INTERVIEW with Percussionist Dave Crowder
1. Hi, can you tell us about how you first got interested in Afro Cuban drumming and music? Did you hear it somewhere or did a friend or someone else turn you on to it? I recorded a CD right at the end of the era of music CDs in 2000, before internet digital hosting… Read More »
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José Luis Quintana, AKA “changuito”
Changuito: The Master Timbale Player and Percussionist In 1985 I went on a musical tour to Cuba to study drumming and also attend the Veradaro Jazz Festival. While at the festival my friend Rob Holland who was also on the tour told me to get up and go film the timbale player for the group… Read More »
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Now And Then, All Styles Relate To The One!
Then And Now~ Let’s Get It Together! When I first started drumming in the 70’s (for those of us not born into or of the drum culture), there was one general drummers informational grid or network, that is to say one large drumming platform or base of information that was available to the general public.… Read More »
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One Style Or Different Drumming Styles? It’s All Music.
There are several different ways for serious students to learn and to study traditional and folkloric drumming from other countries. Today I am going to talk about two different approaches, completely different and both are valid in my book. We can try to be universal, find commonality and study the underlying principles and basic structures… Read More »
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Balance your studies between and east and west if you really want to learn and grow
There are several different ways to learn to play or express yourself on drums originating from the african diaspora be it afro cuban, west african or other areas. Here is a short overview. It does not matter which style of drumming you choose to play in be it traditional drumming or freestyle, if you balance… Read More »
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“Keepers of the Flame” is a documentary about the elder Cubano statesmen of Rumba
“Keepers of the Flame” is a documentary about the elder statesmen of Rumba who live in Matanzas and Havana. Francisco Zamorra Chirino, (“Menini”) and Pedro Aballi Torriente (“Regalado”) are two of these elder statesmen and co-founders of AfroCuba de Matanzas, one of Cuba’s preeminent folkloric groups. Both Menini and Regalado are the keepers of the… Read More »
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Spirit In The Wood Congas: 4 drum Sound Test and Demo Video
This is a demonstration and sound test of my 4 new Spirit In The Wood conga drums made by Conrad Kubiak in Pennsylavania from solid logs. These are on piece drums (shells) all made from the same tree. The type of wood used is called “Figured Ash”. Read More »
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How to Play Congas: Very basic technique, position and tones
“With out strong framework the house will collapse’. In this ‘follow along” video/ conga lesson we will begin to explore how to position your hands and also how to make basic sounds on the conga drum. This is part one. For more info go to: www.michaelpluznick.com Read More »
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The late Great Pello EL Afrokan, our teacher
In 1985 we traveled to Cuba to learn about Cuban culture, study the music and experience the Cuban lifestyle. We were young and looking for musical and cultural adventures . While staying at the hotel in Havana we met Pello el Afrokan in our lobby. We told him about our quest to study Cuban… Read More »
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Afro Cuban “Quinto Lock” the secret solo ride for rumba by M. Pluznick
Michael Pluznick and friends on Toca Elite Pro Series congas! This video excerpt from How to Play Conga Drums shows the top secret “quinto lock” or solo ride pattern that fits or locks in between notes of the guaguanco rumba pattern, in this case a Yambu or slow Guagunaco. Michael first demonstrates the pattern hand… Read More »
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How to Play Congas: Mozambique on four drums!
Michael Pluznick demonstrates Mozambique Afro Cuban conga drum arrangement on four drums. This is a way for you to get the feel and sound of the original mozambique rhythm but of course there are compromises as it is only an arrangement and not the holly gospel!. If you would like the super traditional version please… Read More »
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A taste of honey: bembe for Oshun (Osun)
Fundumental Bembe for Oshun held at Baba PEdro De Jesus’s old house in San Jose California.Drummers Chris Walker, David Frazier and Pedro Dejesus play the fundumental bata drums which were blessed in Mantanza’s Cuba. Read More »