Danzón

[ralph]

Menny Oquendo in the 50's went to Cuba almost three times fusilating the timbaleros of Arcano,Orquesta Aragon, Merceron,and Casino, he went there when Vicentico Valdez did go to Cuba for some recordings.Dr.Zaragemca

This is true, I have also heard the Manny went to Cuba and ended up staying there for a couple of months, Manny style and discipline is evident when you take into accound the research he did, and the way he immersed himself in this scene....Orestes of course is from Cuba, so ya tu sabe....another good timablero is Charlie Santiago, although he was younger at the time, he did play with a couple of NY bands such as Son Primero and Charanga La 4 among others...his charanga, and danzon chops are respectable as he comes from the same school as Manny Oquendo...Dario, any Charlie stories?



Edited By ralph on 1190921869

[Omelenko]

RALPH,
Charlie Santiago,the timbalero, is great in every percussion instrument.
Like you stated,he has played with charangas the likes of Son Primero,Hansel Y Raul, Broadway. He's an incredible bongocero,he played bongo' on the tune "Isla Del Encanto" by Broadway. When he lived here in Miami, when he was with Hansel y Raul, many years ago, Cachao asked me to sIt in on bongo',my buddy Freddy Lugo ,who was the conguero grabbed the tims and Charlie played congas, we did "Como Mi Ritmo No Hay Dos" ,a Cachao tune and Charlie played a lot of Tata Guines licks and he sounded great on congas. He is a complete latin percussionist.
Saludos, Dario

[ralph]

Charlie played a lot of Tata Guines licks and he sounded great on congas. He is a complete latin percussionist.
Saludos, Dario

Dario,

Charlie is great, there is a youtube video out, w/ him Ray Barretto, Charlie P, Andy Gongalez, and Nicky, and he is tearing it up on los bongoses...now that you mention Tata...I was watching a video I had yesterday (Fiesta De Tambores) and Tata is playing some Sonocs....do you have the video? Are these later model sonocs? They don't have the typical metal bands...that we've grown to love...

[zaragenca]

I'm sorry I overlook something which was said by brother David...The bell was incorporated first by the Orquestra of Calixto Allende and the Sexteto Munamar..(it is in my article,Zaragemca's Bongos,Congas,Timbales and Bata).Dr. Zaragemca

[Vintage 1976]

Another timbalero to check out on Danzon is Eduardo Boniatillo from Cuba.

His 2001 release "A Bonitaillo Limpio" is great Charanga, some Danzon, Guaracha and Descarga.

[Salseroberlinense]

Now I got the books by Rendón, Changuito, Morales, and Reed. The latter two don't have anything on danzón, the first two have a couple of interesting patterns, Changuito also covers a bell pattern. No explanation when to play what though, but I guess I will just have to listen to lots of songs and figure it out myself.
Still searching for the Manny Oquendo video. Ralph, have you found it?
PS: Rendón has different books, I have "Rhythms and Techniques for Latin Timbales". I was told "The art of playing timbales vol. 1" does not cover danzón.



Edited By Salseroberlinense on 1194808794

[Vintage 1976]

For a very easy and basic (read traditional) Danzon; pick up a copy of Maraca's "Tremenda Rumba."

Changuito is a guest player on the one Danzon on the album. It is very simple song and shows a basic Danzon pattern.

Forgot to mention, if you search "Maraca" on Myspace music, that song is on his profile.

I'm not much of a fan of Cuban Salsa per se, but the album has some nice stuff in it.



Edited By Vintage 1976 on 1194836074