Zaragemca's bongos,Timbal.Congas and Batas

[zaragemca]

This is a vintage historical of the development of afrocuban percussion(not every name),but mayor developments...The firts musician to introduce afrocuban percussion in to general music was Louis Moreau Gottschalk when visiting Cuba,(1854-1862)...One of the first bongoceros on 1908-1910 was Alfredo Bolona playing and recording with 'Catalina Cuarteto'...Through 1911,Joaquin Velazcos is the bongocero with the 'Quinteto Tipico'...In 1913,Luciano Herrera is the bongocero with 'Trio Los Soneros'...Andres Sotolongo is the bongocero with the the Sexteto Habanero in 1920,...in 1923 Antonio'menengue' Orta introduced the 'Cencerro' (bells) as percussion instruments in the music when playing with Calixto Allende Orchestra...Also in 1923 the Sexteto Bolona is formed with Jose Manuel 'El chino' Incharte as bongocero...In 1924 a great timbalero,Consejo Valiente Robles,(Acerina) is creating furor in Mexico as timbal-player...Also in 1924 the timbalero Manuel Sanchez incorporated that instrument in to the Sexteto-Conjunto format,(when playing with the Sonora Matancera)....In 1925,Agustin'manana' Gutierrez,introduced the bongos in NY. when visiting the city for the recording with the Sexteto Habanero...In 1926 the bongocero Manuel Reinoso is in NY. recording with the Sexteto Occidente...to be continued,Gerry Zaragemca

[zaragemca]

In 1926, Sexteto Bolona introduced the bongos in Sur America,(Venezuela,Colombia,etc) when touring with the bongocero Manuel'El chino' Incharte,...In 1927, Manuel 'El Chino' Incharte is playing and recording in NY., again with Sexteto National(of Ignacio Pineiro),...In 1928, Sexteto Munamar introduced the 'Cencerro'(bells) in to the group...In 1927 another great timbalero'Silvano 'Chory' Shueg, arrived to Havana,( this is the 'Man' which Tito Puente would go to see when visiting Cuba)...In 1929 the Sexteto National introduced the bongos in Spain(Seville), courtesy of Manuel'El chino' Incharte...For females percussionists,in 1929, a female timbalera is playing in Cuba who she was?, Irene Herrera Laferte with (Charanga de Done Irene)....Also in 1929,timbalero Domingo Becerra incorporated for the first time Danzonete in to the Charangas when playing with Aniceto Diaz's Orchestra...By 1930 the bongoceros of Don Azpiazu, Manolo Castro,and Alfredo Brito Bands are creating fire in NY...Also Don Azpiazu Band is getting Paris(France) in fire with the 'Peanut Vendor'(El Manicero)...By 1931,bongocero Mariano Gonzales is also playing in Paris with Sexteto Cuba,..also bongocero Florentino Frontela is playing in Paris (1932) with Emilio Barreto's Orchestra,(a relative of timbalero Guillermo Barreto)...In 1930, Gilberto Valdez incorporated a 'Bata' in to Classical Music,...By 1932 a female bongocera is playing with Sexteto Anacaona( all female group which was directed by Alberto Socarras)...Percussionist and drummer, Alberto Jimenez Rebollar which is one of the pioneer of jazz, is playing with Jose Antonio Curbelo in 1927 and Armando Romeu in 1936, to be continued.Gerry Zaragemca.

[zaragemca]

Around 1936 Mongo Santamaria replaced his tutor Clemente 'chicho' Piquero as bongocero for Sexteto Habanero...in around 1936,Sexteto Afrocuba of Santos Ramirez is the first introducing the conga in to the Sexteto-Conjunto format with congero Vidal Benitez...In 1937-38,Orchestra Casino de la Playa is the first recording 'piano' and 'tres-guitar',(courtesy of Arsenio Rodriguez which recorded with them before forming his own Conjunto)... In 1938, Dr. Obdulio Morales founded the Folkloric Orchestra in Cuba and playing his work'Batamu'(he is a member of the Society for the Afrocuban Studies together with Dr. Fernando Ortiz) and had three Bata-players,(Jessus Perez,Trinidad Torregoza,and Raul'nasaco' Diaz),...In 1938 Cab calloway is the first Afro American Jazz Band incorporating afrocuban instruments when Mario Bauza brought the bongocero Alejandro Rodriguez to play with the band,...In the late 1930's there were some timbaleros from Puerto Rico in NY., Humberto Morales and Willie Rodrigues,etc., the cuban timbalero Jose Montesinos was teaching that instrument in NY.,(including the young Tito Puente)...in 1937 the bongocero Chino Pozo(cousin of Chano Pozo) moved to NY...Some percussionist in Cuba at that time(among others),bongocero Candido Requena,(Conjunto Kubavana),...bongocero Ramon Castro,(Conjunto Casino de la Playa),...the Valdez's Dynasty Oscar Valdez Sr., conga-bata, and Marcelino Valdez, bongos,(relative of Oscar Valdez jr., of 'Irakere Group')... drummer-percussionist,Guillermo Barreto,(Dr. Obdulio Morales Orchestra),...bongocero Guillermo Romero,(Conjunto Casino),...Tata Guines and Mongo Santamaria,(Conjunto Camacho),...Jose Rosario'manteca' Chavez,(Conjunto Gloria Matancera),etc.,...In 1939, the show'Coga Pantera put together Chano Pozo,Mongo Santamaria,'Patato' Valdez,and Silvestre Mendez...to be continued.

[MusicMan]

Thanks Zara ... interesting, but it's like reading one of the Old Testament genealogies!

[zaragemca]

Yes, Musicman,and I find out that in all type of music there are people which are always fascinated about the evolving of music,...continuation...The development of percussionists playing Afrocuban instruments in the Caribbean and South America are closed related with the tour performed by Trio Matamoros in 1934 and Orchestra Casino de la Playa around 1938,(even when in fact radio was available in Cuba since 1922, where people of differents countries could listen to the music),...In 1940,'Antonin 'Papakila' Suarez and Filiberto Sanchez are bongoceros for (Conjunto Azul) and (Carabina de Ases),also 'Papakila joined the (Arsenio Rodriguez Conjunto),with Arsenio's brother 'Quike' as congero,...Timbalero Ulpioano Diaz is playing with (Antonio Arcano's Orchestra)...Timbalero Augusto Barcia is with (Orchestra America),...Timbalero Orestes Varona,with (Orchestra Aragon),...R. Palau, is playing bongos with (Orchestra Hermanos Palau),...In 1941, bongocero 'Chino Pozo',(cousin of Chano Pozo), and Manuel Mangual Sr., is playing with Machito's Band, also timbaleros, Toni Escolies,Tito Puente and Ubaldo Nieto are playing with Machito's Band...to be continued...

[zaragemca]

Also congero Carlos Vidal Bolado,etc., is playing with Machito's Afrocuban Band,..In 1941 Machito's Band became the first to integrated together (timbal,conga and bongos in a Conjunto)...In the 1940's, the Puertorican, Rafael Hernandez is playing with his 'Conjunto Victoria"(after spending some years in Cuba),and also Rafael Cortijo,(one of the pioneer of afrocuban percussion in Puerto Rico) is playing with Bands.... to be continued

[MusicMan]

Zara -

I use a of the Pearl percussion gear for various gigs I do around the city where I'm currently living ... I especially like the "tube cajons" that Pearl makes.

However, I'm more of a "studio" percussionist so some of the real ethnic guys tell me that I play more like a "drum machine" than a traditional player!

[zaragemca]

It all depends on what is their point of view,and the resources which you display when playing.

[MusicMan]

Zara -

Well, I have to do a lot of stuff with multi-percussion. For example, playing shaker (or tambrouine) with the left hand, congas with the right hand, and cowbell (or tambourine) with the left foot ... thus I really don't get to just focus on a lot of traditional conga technique.

I'm usually just playing the syncopated parts with respect to the drum groove. I'm not actually playing in a traditional percussion ensemble where the conga player has his own part.

Also, I do quite a few "unplugged" gigs where I use the Pearl tube cajons to simulate drum set parts. I use the 14" tube for the kick (with my left hand), the 10" drum for the snare, and the 12" drum for tom tom and conga fills and off beat syncopations.

When I'm doing these gigs, I move the shaker down to my right foot (to keep time)
and then use the tambourine on my left foot for ride cymbal and backbeat effects. Maybe this where they get the "drum machine" joke ... :-)

[zaragemca]

continuation...By mid to late 1940's,the second assault of Mexico(by cuban percussionists) is taking place with,..Agustin Gutierrez,(Conjunto Matamoros),..Clemente 'Chicho' Piquero,(Perez Prado's Orquesta),congero Modesto Duran and timbalero Aurelio Tamayo are also playing with Perez Prado,...Mongo Santamaria,Armando Peraza,Silvestre Mandez,Tabaquito,etc., are also traveling to Mexico,...In 1948, a 'Bata'-drum was used in the Show,'Las Mulatas de Fuego',which also went to Mexico. to be continued.

[zaragemca]

In Cuba in the mid 1940's Armando Peraza was playing with 'Conjunto Kubavana'.also 'Patato' Valdez was playing with 'Kubavana'.'Sonora Matancera'(for a short period), and later 'Conjunto Casino' as congero.with Guillermo Romero as bongocero for the same Conjunto...Pedro Soroe-congas and Braudilio Carbonell-bongos are with 'Orchestra Riverside'...'Orchestra Casino de la Playa' is using a lot of percussionists(replacing them),Luis Figueroa,Libertad Usera,Robert Fuentes,Gabriel Gonzales are drummers/or timbaleros,and Pedro Allende,Efrain Vaz,Raul de la Rosa and Carlos Vidal Bolado are the congeros...In the 1940's,Diego Iborra and Guillermo Romero are the first playing congas and bongos with Dizzy Guillespie's in NY...In 1947,Obdulio Morales recorded the first collection of Yoruba's music in Cuba,(Panart-Studios)...Justi Barreto is playing bongos with (Casino de la Playa)...Chano Pozo.(after recording with Miguelito Valdez in Cuba,1946),is in NY., for the historic recording with Dizzy Guillespie's...bongocero Orlando 'Chicuelo' Guzman is playing with 'Conjunto Casino'...Candido Camero switched to bongos and congas...'Manzano' is the drummer and Oscar Valdez Jr.,is the timbalero with the (CMQ's Orchestra)...In the 1950's the great NY.,coreographer,Katherine Dunham,(after visiting Cuba) recruited Gilberto Valdez as music director for her African American Ballet,and Francisco Aguabella and Julito Collazo as percussionists..to be continued

[Caljam]

From what book are you quoting this from?

[zaragemca]

It is not a single source since I find myself a lot of wrong information which have been out there for long time(including books),not necessarily in back faith,but lack of knowlege of the culture,historic facts, simple math,etc.What help me out is the fact that 1.- I was born there in Cuba...2.- I'm a percussionist which have been teaching for 15 years and playing for arund 37,and 3.- I learned the foundation of percussion from my ancestors(not from books).Gerry Zaragemca.

[zaragemca]

continue..During the 1950's percussionists for Puerto Rico,Mexico,Venezuela,Colombia,etc., started taking the afrocuban instruments by storm,some of the percussionists playing in the U.S, at that time are among others,Luis Miranda,Ubaldo Nieto,Jose Mangual Sr.,Michito Sanchez,Manny Oquendo,Frank Colon,Steve Berrios,Julito Collazo,Mongo Santamaria,Tony Escollies,Jose Montesino,'Chono' Pozo,Carlos Vidal,
'Patato' Valdez,Willie Bobo,Ismael Quintana,Silvestre Mendez,Ignacio Reyes,Candido Camero,Pete Terrace,Bobby Flash,Luis 'Puntillita' Kant,Pedro 'Pulidor' Allende,Reinaldo Rodriguez,Monchito Munoz,Willie Rosario,Justi Barreto,Virgilio Marti,Armando Albertini,Ray Barreto,Tito Puente,Modesto Duran,Francisco Aguabella,'Bilingue' Ayala,Aurelio Tamayo,Jack Constanzo,Armando Peraza,etc...Now in 1938,Obdulio Morales set up a percussion ensemble with (Bata,Conga,and Bongo) for his Batamu' show...then in 1949 and 1952, Bebo Valdez with the help of Guillermo Barreto(which played with Obdulio Morales),congero 'Manzano' and Rolando Alfonzo, created the 'Batacum' and 'Batanga' ensembles,(Bata,Congas,Drums)...this is the foundation of the 'Bata-Rumba and the 'Mozambique' of Pedro'El Afrocan' Izquierdo,also the foundation of the 'Songo' by Jose luis'Changuito' with 'Los Van Van' and ultimate the foundation for the setting of the great ensemble of the 'Irakere Group'.with Oscar Valdez,(batas),Carlos 'El nino' Alfonzo(congas, and Enrique Platt,(drums,timbales)..to be continued Gerry Zaragemca.

[zaragemca]

In Cuba in the 50's,Bebo Valdez is forming some bands and using,Giraldo,Candido Camero,Tibo,TaTa-Guines,and Rolando Alfonso as congeros,Guillermo Barreto(drums/timbal),Trinidad Torregosa(Batalero)...Rolando LaSerie(drum/timbal),Clemente 'Chicho' Piquero(bongos),and Tabaquito(congas) are playing with Benny More's Orchestra,also later Jesus Gonzales(drummer),and Jesus Lopez(conga)...Chucho Esquijarrosa(timbales),Oscar Valdez and Marcelino Valdez(percussionists),and Walfredo de los Reyes Jr.(drummer),are playing with Julio Gutierrez's Band...Tata-Guines(conga),Guillermo Barreto(Drums/timbales),Rogelio 'Yeyito' Iglesias(bongos) are jamming with Cachao Lopez...Timbalero,Elio Reve is playing with his conjunto...Barbaro 'Jabuco' Vidal(congas) and Orlando 'Chicuelo' Guzman are playing with Conjunto Casino...One of the first folkloric Groups was 'LuLu Yonkori' of Alberto Zayas with Carlos Embale and Roberto Maza.This preceded, 'Los Munequitos de Matanzas(percussionists,Ernesto Torriente,Esteban Bacallao,Angel Pellado,Gregorio 'Goyo' Diaz) which was formed later,also 'Los Papines'(Abreu's brothers),Afro-Cuba,Yoruba-Andabo,etc...Others Guaguanco Groups in Habana were,'The Paso franco','Los Roncos','The Jesuits',etc....to be continued..

[iplaydjembe]

Hey, I'm glad that you are trying to help us learn more about the wonderful instruments we all love to play, but I am VERY glad I am not in your class. This is crazy. I couldnt even get through the first post. I am sorry, but I really don't understand this at all. Thanks for trying though. ~Justin

[skud]

oh my god i love people like zaragemca. i haven't finished reading all your posts on this thread but i love learning about the history of what i'm playing because when i'm educated on the source or origin, not just the modern theory, i feel so much more... i don't know... pure? i can't think of the word... so
how do i come about to meet a person like zaragemca and be taught by them and then open their head and eat their brain... oops..
i've only played drums for about 3 and a half years... I'M TOO IMPATIENT TO WAIT ANOTHER 35 YEARS!!

[zaragemca]

Welcome to the forum brain eater,whenever you might have the time we are in Houston,Texas where I teach and performed generally.my e-mail is all over the internet.Gerry Zaragemca.

[pcastag]

Hey, I'm in Houston as well. Where do you teach? I'm loking for qualified bata instructor. I've been to havana twice to study, but it's very expensive. I'm really a baterista, I play locally with different groups, four years with Angelucho, Mark Towns, etc, but my true love is percussion. Please contact me , I am trying to finish learning oru seco entero.
Paolo

[zaragemca]

You could e-mail me at...zaragemca@TheMusicPages.zzn.com.Gerry Zaragemca.

[B-man]

From what book are you quoting this from?

And why? :rolleyes:

[zaragemca]

Welcome B-man, the situation is that a lot of latinos and not latinos which are in to afrocuban percussion for long time,didn't have a historic account of the development of these percussion instruments, who did what first,etc.,like there is in Jazz,or Blues,or Rock music.Now after this, is somebody wants to know some percussionists in the 20's,or 30's,40's,etc., they could have a reference.Also some pioneers of the afrocuban percussion, were out of any credit.It should be in every music genre.For reseach,or discussion of the evolution,etc.Gerry Zaragemca