congaplace.com

Posted: **Sun Dec 23, 2007 1:34 pm**

Been invited to sit in (again) with a fine club group of "straight ahead" jazz musicians. And though my first time with them I managed to contribute, I still felt a bit uncomfortable and not quite in control. Any of you pros worked "straight ahead jazz", and if so, any tips on
making congas work within this demanding format while not bustin the groove. Samples or sites would be great. Thanks.

Posted: **Sun Dec 23, 2007 3:22 pm**

Ahh//// just found a lead that may help me out

http://cdbaby.com/cd/pspencerband

The Paul Spencer Band has a neat bit of crossover going that ---upon listening to his conguero, cecilio negron-- confrims my instincts and helps confirm the direction I was pointing. (I'm talking to myself here, so sorry bout this seemingly neurotic rambling.)

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:58 am**

CongaTick,
That's a nice link! Got a few ideas from it from the 'Favorite Things' and the 'Take Five Tracks'. Thanks!
Was about to suggest that tumbao with a swing feel is usually the standard way to go. The Paul Spencer Band's first track 'Straight No Chaser" I believe, demonstrates that well. And the conguero does a great job of throwing in fills to spice it up a little, something I'm trying to get better at. This subject was covered in an earlier thread. (What to play with Jazz standards? (Pages 1 2 3 ..6 ), started by spiritdrum. You can find it on page 11 of the 'Open Discussion' thread directory. You'll find some good info there as well.

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 3:02 am**

I've noticed Francisco Aguabella uses the bolero to good effect on slower jazz numbers.

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:16 pm**

That was a good link with some nice jazz and conga playing!

My approach is to usually listen to the song paying attention esp. to the bass and piano. I listen to the melodies and go with what feels right, whatever enhances the song and cements the groove. A modified tumbao or a swing tumbao often works with a lot of stuff.

Sometimes to try something a little different I'll adapt 2 individual drum parts from an African rhythm onto the congas. Or invent something that's derived from another rhythm.

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:20 pm**

QG, bongo, pavlo,

You guys confirmed my feel for it. Greatly appreciate the advice on tumbao with swing. That's how I approach it, though it almost feels a bit too minimalist for what I'd like to do. But then, sometimes less is more. And QG-- thanks for the thread lead. I should have checked instead of wasting forum space. Have a great holiday guys. Peace.

Posted: **Mon Dec 24, 2007 2:45 pm**

Just checked out the thread on this subject. Very helpful. Thanks QG.

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 4:46 am**

Dig Candido playing with a straight-ahead jazz group!

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Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:04 am**

Not bad for a guy in his 80's and for u young lions now that is "split hand-ol skool" playing that Im always tallking about....Candido one of the Greats!.....Johnny Conga....ps his best recording would be "Conga Soul" and his best one drum conga solo would be on the Tony Bennet Live album tune called "Ol man river"...1961 at Carnegie Hall....at his best!...

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:16 am**

Here's a great example of swing conga feel on jazz - DIG!

The conguera is Mayra Casales and she's a great story. Check her out here>>
http://www.jazzworldquest.com/mayra_casales.shtml

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Edited By congamyk on 1199344842

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 10:08 am**

congamyk,
Great video on Candido with the Billy Taylor Trio, thank you! This is a great subject for me as this is an area that I'd like to eventually break into. I've always thought that the marriage between straight-ahead jazz and latin rhythms is pure heaven!

J.C., you're right, not bad for a guy in his 80's. Candido is one of the few treasures left on this planet! I would love to see some footage in his prime years.

Congatick, may I suggest you listen to some of Lou Donaldson's work with the great Ray Barretto on congas. Check out his album, Blues Walk. Also, you must listen to Kenny Dorham's Afro Cuban album featuring the late Carlos "Patato" Valdes on congas. This was recorded in the mid-50's when Patato had just recently made New York home from his native Cuba. He must have been about 30 years old and was a force to be reckoned with. Killer stuff!

afrocubarico

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:40 pm**

First.

Lemme say: THANK GOD THE SITE'S BACK!!!! Can't believe how much I depend on this place.

Second.

The sit-in session I was invited into was a complete success! I'd practiced a single drum swing tumbao earlier in the week adding only discriminate fills using the other drums, and it seemed to work. THEN, it felt completely natural, while playing along with some straight jazz cd's to slip easily into a split-hand ride between quinto and conga, using the tumba for accent. Wow! That felt good. Then, I was off to the races, nervous as hell. The guys are monsters and I was intimidated. Brought me in for the second and third set and we jelled "like buttah"-- the practice having worked, my instincts and "feel" clicking in. They threw me a solo first number in-- and I tore it up. Drummer joined in towards the end -- just the two of us--what a blast. In the end I got a "good job" from guys who are not easily impressed. I'm sitting in again tonight. Straight jazz is another, challening (very challenging) door I've cracked open. The clips are great! You guys have been a source of encouragement and patient professionalism.

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 7:10 pm**

Sounds like you had a good time congatyk nice to see brothers develope , Its very encouraging for people like me on the edge ready to jump in a little deeper .

Marco :cool:

Posted: **Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:11 pm**

By all means, jump in!!! The worst that can happen--- a bruised ego, but the learning benefits are great.

Posted: **Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:18 am**

Must See!
Jazz funk tune with Emmanuel Abdul-Rahim on congas.
Emmanuel Abdul-Rahim plays the tumbao.
This is how you swing the tumbao over funk!

Eddie Harris/Les McCann - "Compared to What"

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Edited By congamyk on 1199769979