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Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 8:41 am**

Hey all,
Here's a video clip by LP founder, Martin Cohen, showing Giovanni "Mañeguito" Hidalgo ripping through one of his solos at the Ray Barretto Tribute Concert at Lehman College in Bronx, NY.

I was there that night, this concert ROCKED! It featured a most stellar group of musicians, all paying homage to the late, great Ray Barretto. One of the highlights for me was seeing the three masters "speak" to each other on their instruments: Orestes Vilato on timbales, Giovanni on tumbadoras, and Johnny "Dandy" Rodriguez, Jr. on bongos. Unfortunately, the lighting crew goofed when they kept Johnny Rodriguez in the dark while he played his solo but aside from this, it was heaven to the soul!

afrocubarico

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL0eON53N-o

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 9:14 am**

Thanks for the clip.

Note, we have a thread for all video clips, pinned at the top of this section.

seems Gio has put on alot of weight since this pic:

Cant be healthy for him to be gaining more weight at his age.

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 1:42 pm**

ABAKUA wrote:Thanks for the clip.

Note, we have a thread for all video clips, pinned at the top of this section.

seems Gio has put on alot of weight since this pic:

Cant be healthy for him to be gaining more weight at his age.

Funny you should mention the weight thing. When I watched the clip a few days ago on congahead.com I was thinking the exact same thing! Man is he getting heavy. Can't be good for him!

Fantastic solo though!

Troels

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 2:03 pm**

I fear for him... I really hate to say it but I cant help compare his shape to Anga..
When I was with Anga in Feb, his weight really shocked me, he didnt seem in too good shape, though he was still in super shape playing wise, he was fairly big. A few months later, he died of a heart attack, aged 45.
I pray Gio does not suffer the same fate. He seems much bigger than ever before in that clip.

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 5:21 pm**

Alafia Abures!
Espero que todo este bien con toditos!

In that particular pic of Giovanni, his neck and face area still look chubby, leading me to think that maybe he underwent some sort of cosmetic surgery perhaps???????????????? ???

I agree Abures mi, as we get older we should try and take better care of ourselves!

Suave!
Onile!

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 6:52 pm**

Onile "take care of ourselves" what does that really mean ? a loaded question. I would like to hear what does that mean to others here at the forum.

Paz OLSONGO

Posted: **Mon Oct 23, 2006 7:12 pm**

Alafia Abure Olsongo!

All too often we "repeat" what it is that our parents, friends and collegues say without really taking a moment to see how it applies to ourselves, you're right to question it mi pana!

I for one, am not the best to talk 'bout taking care of oneself, estoy ma'goldo que nunca! It's kinda difficult what with working a day job, and going directly to a night gig four out of seven days a week. Diet is poor, yet that is no excuse, it's decipline (which I have none), food has been betty good to me! Especially working the resort gigs, the chefs have a variety of cuisines they prepare, and being resourceful as I am, I always find a latino server who gives us (the trio/band) a break and hooks us up!

I guess, what it means is watching what we eat, exercising, taking in as much of the vegetable family as possible, fruit, and once again, exercising!

Yuk! not the most deciplined person I must say!

Buena suerte a todos!

Onile!

Edited By onile on 1161631914

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:46 am**

Anga when I saw him shock me too, look at old pictures of him and see him so lean, then in spring at the Barbican he had this paunch going on...

As a sit down player I always make sure to get proper cardio exercise to balance with the arms work..

Posted: **Tue Oct 24, 2006 12:38 pm**

guys,
i am sure he has a health and cardiovascular regime. i hope to God he does. i am sure he is concious about his weight . we all should be , since life is a great and satifying experience. all of you take care ok. my best, franc ???

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:00 pm**

Wow, Gio looks awful. Didnt even look like him at first.

Awesome solo, as expected, however, he did that same stuff on another video at an earlier Cohen party (birthday party I think it was)... very similar chops in a solo, leading into into Plana... and he even did that same little melody thing that he did at the end of this one.

Edited By rhumbatumba on 1161982489

Posted: **Fri Oct 27, 2006 4:47 pm**

I saw Gio at the Jazz Cafe in London about six weeks ago, and stood about four feet away from him. He did look a little overweight for his height, but he didnt look unhealthy, whereas Anga at the Barbican, did.

I agree we should all stay fit and look after ourselves more, but I feel Gio still has some way to go.
Diceman

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 3:41 am**

I can tell u personally Gio is a "little Bull"..if you ever get to hug him you will feel he is mostly "all back" which is where I believe his power comes from. He is also a bit older now too 40 years old now?....and he probably eats very well also ..

....but it never slows him down...

"JC" Johnny Conga....PS some of the "heaviest" conga players I ever new had really fast hands...Frankie Malabe, Johnny "La Vaca", Jackie Dilomis,"BO" Saterwhite....

Posted: **Sat Oct 28, 2006 7:34 am**

JohnnyConga wrote:I can tell u personally Gio is a "little Bull"..if you ever get to hug him you will feel he is mostly "all back" which is where I believe his power comes from. He is also a bit older now too 40 years old now?....and he probably eats very well also .. ....but it never slows him down... "JC" Johnny Conga....PS some of the "heaviest" conga players I ever new had really fast hands...Frankie Malabe, Johnny "La Vaca", Jackie Dilomis,"BO" Saterwhite....

Orlando Poleo

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Giovanni's Solo at Ray Barretto Tribute