Results for "Congas"

Norman Hedman

Born: July 17, 1945

Percussionist, Producer, Composer, Solo Artist

One man's trash is another man's treasure. Nothing could be truer for Norman Hedman and the discovery of his first hand drum, a conga, he rescued from a Brooklyn garbage can. A native of the West Indies, Hedman instinctively knew how to repair the conga at age 12 and has been playing music ever since.

Background
Today, the music of this first call percussionist, solo artist, producer, and composer, gathers multi-genre music connoisseurs around the globe. Attracted to Hedman's number one hits with broad appeal, audiences discover his passion for accessible music. "I think music heals, and Tropique's music falls into that category; whether you're a teen or 80 years old," says Hedman. From Latin Jazz to R&B and Pop, Hedman's commercial recognition is widespread. His extensive product pedigree includes a variety of hit projects:

Luis Domingo Diaz

Born: November 6, 1957

Over 30 years experience in the world of Afro-Caribbean Music. Percussionist, Clinician, Instructor and Band Leader. Latin Percussion instructor for "The Wisconsin Conservatory of Music" since 1999. Endorser for Evans Drumheads, Sabian Cymbals and Rhythm Tech Instruments. Luis has worked with Brian Lynch, David Hazeltine, Melvin Rhyne, Peter Bernstien, Berkly Fudge, Eddie Butts, Rick Germanson, Ko-Thi Dance Co, Buddy Montgomery and the great Cuban Percussionist Virgilio Marti. For the last 6 years Luis and his Quintet have worked with "The Jazz Experience" an organization that brings Jazz to Milwaukee area public schools

David Rages

The Talons are multi-instrumentalists with wide-ranging musical tastes. Drawn together through happenstance, these musicians immediately recognized kindred souls. Starting from a shared interest in jazz improvisation, they embarked on a journey of discovery through the transformational power of EthnoRhythm. Through jazz and drumming, the Talons unleash an energy that unfailingly sparks spiritual vitality and fuels creative expression. These men continue to cultivate their friendship and their art…forging these affinities into seamless and compelling performances of original music. Listen as the essential rhythms of the Talons evolve, purify, and entrance. David Rages.............Congas/Percussions Jeffrey Carr.............Congas/Marimba/Percussions Tony Rodriguez.........Congas/Percussions Charlie Channel.........Bass Robert Alexander......Tenor Saxophone Charles Broussard.....Guitar William Jackson........Congas Matt Radisch...........Keyboards

Miguel "Angá" Díaz

Born: June 15, 1961

1961: Born Miguel Aurelio Diaz Sayas in San Juan y Martinez in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, area known for its rumba traditions. Shares the nickname Angá with his father. Began playing prodigiously early. 1971: attends the Escuela Nacional de Arte de Pinar del Rio. Begins formal percussion studies. 1975: scholarship to study classical percussion at the National School of Art in Havana. Joins group Treceto de la ENA on the first day of college, and would perform with them for the remainder of his academic career. Whilst at college is invited to record some film and TV soundtracks by the pianist Jose Maria Vitier, playing alongside his heroes conga master Tata Güines & drummer Guillermo Barretto 1978: Treceto de la ENA reform as Bus Trece (Opus 13), finishes college and begins his professional career with the band

Carlos "Patato" Valdes

Born: November 4, 1926

Since Patato emigrated from Cuba he had an incredible career,having the spontaneity and charm to draw audiences from all over, with the irresistible Afro-Cuban rhythms he so skillfully created. Valdez's understanding of melodic percussion was ahead of his time and required advances in drum technology. During the late 1940's he helped develop the first tunable congas, as earlier models were tuned by the previous method of heating them over a source of fire. His innovations on the conga drums have been a major contribution to music. He truly is in the master class. Born November 4, 1926 in Barrio Los Sitios in Havana, his father was a pioneer "tres" (guitar) player with the group Los Apaches, made up of longshoremen, the group was formed in 1915 and when they broke up in 1920 split into Sexteto Habanero and Sexteto Nacional

Armando Peraza

Born: May 30, 1924

Armando Peraza - congas, percussion Armando Peraza is one of the most important and revered figures in the world of Latin percussion. A legendary master on both congas and bongo, whose unorthodox style and rich history are inspirations to countless younger musicians, many of today's top percussionists cite Armando as one of their biggest influences. Armando Peraza was born in Havana, Cuba, on May 30, 1924. At the age of three he lost his father, Jose, to pneumonia. When he was seven years old, his mother, Francisca, died of liver failure. He lived with several different relatives over the next few years but by the time he was twelve years old he was supporting himself and living on his own. He became proficient on the congas and bongos while playing with various bands in Cuba

Chano Pozo

Born: January 7, 1915

To properly attempt to write a profile on such a colorful and significant character as Chano Pozo, we must go to Africa, where it all began. The Niger River Delta, in the Africa Bend, more specifically the area of Calabar, was one of the premier sources of slaves during the heightening sugar production era in Cuba in the early 1800’s. The Calabar male natives, had an Egbo leopard society, which in Cuba was reborn under the name Acuabatón, conjuring up the myth of Abakuá, manifesting itself in a ritual of ancestor and deity worship, and secret initiations of brotherhood. The Abakuá in Cuba were also called ñañigos, and created a high standard as dancers and drummers, as well as for their flamboyant dress and behavior

Sabu Martinez

Born: July 14, 1930

Sabu was recognized as a virtuoso percussionist at a young age. Playing for the major Latin and be-bop names as a teenager, it was not long before he teamed up with top jazz artists and created astounding Afro-Latin jazz. With his own group he recorded the two wildest "exotica" records ever. and he continued working for great stars in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Eventually he moved to Sweden, where he led a conga school, resumed making records, and contributed to top Latin, big band, pop, jazz, fusion, and funk groups. Louis "Sabu" Martinez was born July 14th, 1930 in New York City's El Barrio (Spanish Harlem)

Giovanni Hidalgo

Born: 1963

Giovanni Hidalgo congas, and percussion (Born 1963) Giovanni Hidalgo is the most highly sought after conga player on the planet. He has recorded, played and toured with most of the top musicians in the Latin, and jazz realms. His mastery on the congas is unrivaled, and he is in a class by himself. Giovanni was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 1963, into a family of well known conga payers. His grandfather played, and his father was Mañengue Hidalgo, who was in the band of Richie Ray and Bobby Cruz during the golden age of salsa. Giovanni was surrounded by percussion instruments his whole life, and started to play on everything as a small child

Candido Camero

Born: October 22, 1921

One of the great Cuban conga players and percussionists to come in the wake of Chano Pozo, he has been a constant source of authentic Afro-Cuban rhythms since his arrival in the early ‘50’s. Born Candido Camera, 22 April 1921, Havana, Cuba, with no formal musical training, Candido is largely self taught. He originally started playing on bass and guitar, and later began playing bongos and conga drums. He was with Station CMQ Radio Havana for six years, after which, in 1947 to 1952, he worked with Armando Romue at the Tropicana Club in Havana, Cuba. In Oct. 1952, he emigrated to the USA, and after a six week engagement at the Clover Club in Miami (with the 'Night In Havana' show), he traveled to NYC. There, trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie took him to the Downbeat Club on New York's famed 52nd Street where he sat in with pianist Billy Taylor's group, and worked for the next year with Taylor