Tag: cuba
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About the bongo
Over the years, many people have reached out to me seeking to learn how to play bongo drums. However, most of them lack a solid grasp of the basics of playing congas and often don’t realize they need to learn conga drums and clave first. Although bongos are traditional solo instruments in Latin band forms,… Read More »
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The Significance and Characteristics of Traditional Drumming Across Cultures
The Power of Traditional and Folkloric Drumming Traditional and folkloric drumming is more than just musical expression; it is a powerful cultural phenomenon that transcends mere entertainment. In West African societies—including Guinea, Mali, Senegal, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, and Nigeria—drumming serves as a historical narrative, an art form, and a communal bond that resonates from… Read More »
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Playing With The Great Armando Peraza in the Haight Ashbury Music Center
Playing with Armando Perrazza 38 years ago I got my dream job which was to be the percussion salesman at the Haight Ashburry Music Center in the famous hippy area of San Francisco. The former store had been named Chickens That Sing Music. When I had first arrived in California around 1976 I was shocked… Read More »
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My trip to Cuba in 1985
In 1985 my friend Jerry had found out about a special artists cultural tour expedition to a jazz fest in Veradero Cuba. In those days people had not yet started traveling to Cuba to study. A few had gone but not many. I did not have the money to go and I knew this was… 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 »