congaplace.com

Hello everyone!
I just finished watching Roots of Rythm with Harry Belafonte as host and I thought it was an excellent documentary that covered a broad spectrum of Afro Cuban music from the mother lands, Africa and Cuba. Bravo! They even showed my favorite rumba group, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas. And 'speaking' of Munequitos, the film also introduced an iconic figure by the name of Esteban Domingo Vega Bacallao, better known as "ChaCha" who was one of the founding members of the rumba group, Guaguanco Matancero, which later became known as Los Muñequitos De Matanzas. He was shown in the movie playing quinto and cajon and displayed great technique. Does anyone here know about this cat? Do you have any stories or bio about him that you can share? Many thanks!

afrocubarico

Hi afrocubarico,

Chacha was indeed iconic as you called it. He was also one of the greatest living bataleros (ever) until recently. He died either this year or last year, but all I know is that on the double DVD "El lenguaje del tambor" by Kabiosile (2007) he had given his last interview. Perhaps you can find it at youtube as well.

Chacha is also famous for having carried on ancient Lukumí traditions like Olokun drums and -drumming. He has built quite a few bata sets, too. Doesn't Spiro own one of these? Bill Summers was closely aquainted with him, too. He owns a set built and consecrated by Chacha. He was also sworn to his tambor. Chacha taught Matanzas style bata drumming to many people, for example Milian Galí in Santiago de Cuba.

So it's safe to say that a big crowd at congaplace knows "this cat". Ibae 'bayentonu Chacha!

Thomas

Im glad you discovered the great "ChaCha"
A true humble genius and master of his art.

You can read a bit more about him here: http://afrocubaweb.com/Chacha.htm

Here, 1955, a young lion named ChaCha standing top, centre is the quintero for Los Muñequitos

A while back Mark posted a nice little video documentary about Chachá on his blog:

http://fidelseyeglasses.blogspot.com/20 ... chach.html

Sadly uncredited, but I believe it was a work in progress co-produced by Lisa Maria Salb and never finished.

Guarachon63,
That was a great video on ChaCha! That's awesome that he was just as much of an artisan than he was a rumbero. I think I would have given my right hand to have studied under this man. Boy! Makes my hairs stand just thinking about it...

Thanks again dude! Anyone else have any info/videos on ChaCha?

afrocubarico

Barry, thankyou for sharing that wonderful video with us, I had not seen that one before.
I would love to see the full unedited length version. A true treasure.

my pleasure. Yes it is very well done. The version he posted is pretty complete, only missing the opening and closing credits as I recall. I got the impression it was like a demo reel that would be used to get more grant money to finish the project, but sadly never seemed to go anywhere.

Thanks Barry .
I enjoyed the Cha Cha vid , a true legend .

marco