Traveling to PR tomorrow - AVAILABLE for FREE performances!

[Firebrand]

Guys,

I'm going to Puerto Rico tomorrow (July 23rd) to start some studies with David "La Mole" Ortiz and some other musicians on the island. I'll be there until August 13th. Since the purpose of the trip is one of personal musical study, I want to jam, perform, and rumbiar as much as possible. To that end, I'm contacting all my musical contacts and making myself available for any type of performance venue (hotels, clubs, pubs, Pinones beach-side rumba spots, you name it). I will be traveling to Puerto Rico with my 5-string electric bass, three Pearl Travel Congas, and 2 pairs of drumset sticks. If you're group or someone you know needs a drumset, timbale, conga, bongo, or electric bass player, let them know about me. Obviously, if I'm called to play bass, I'll need an amplifier and if someone needs me for timbales, bongos, or drumset, they have to provide that...but I'll do the rest! No fee for my playing necessary! (though appreciated, if a donation is given).

Help your friends on the island (they get to save money on one player or add an extra musician to their group, cost free) AND hook me up with study/playing opportunities on the island. Let them know to contact me directly at agueybana79@yahoo.com with details (address of place, time to arrive at gig/sound-check, performance date, etc). I will double check my performance calendar (which has 5 performances on the island already), and if it's open, I'll put it in. Also, I will divulge my cellphone directly to them, for easier contact.

In case your friends need to know how I play, here are some video links on YouTube, on drums, congas, and electric bass.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwymCjEoedA - Congas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7JGrkgJJ8M - Drums

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWS6T4Ck-Xc - Bass

Muchachos...ayuden a un hermano!

P.S. - Remember, direct all contacts respecting this announcement to agueybana79@yahoo.com, which I will check daily on the island.

[ABAKUA]

Sounds like you are going to have a great trip!Have you thought about extending your trip & heading to La Habana at all?
Either way, best of luck! Im sure you are going to have a fantastic experience.
Make sure to post up some photos & any vids you may take! Id love to head to Puerto Rico one of these days.

[onile]

Alafia Abures Mi!
I hope that you are all well and abundantly blessed!

Don Ortiz (La Mole) just left this morning from Phoenix. He was here visiting his son and wound up coming over to my house, he spent most of the weekend with us here. On Saturday he put on a percussion clinic and then invited those who wanted to get private lessons over to my house. This whole weekend was spent filming and enjoying his company, did I mention that this man is a monster on the congas (Yeah! Like that needed to be said). I'm trying to put together some of the videos to put on myspace, or even on this site (if allowed) to share with you all. BTW! He sat down and played all my drums (with exception to the Patatos), and really dug the Pearl Travel Congas! He was all over the design of the my stand! I believe that he's with Pearl now also.

Abakua, La Mole was totally blown away with the Matthew Smith set. I thought they were going to catch on fire he was playing them so fast!
All-in-all, the man is extremely humble, courteous, and willing to teach anyone who wants to learn. I know that Abure Firebrand will come back with a great experience to talk about. I'm still reeling from my time with this legend. Unfortunately I wasn't able to take pics during these sessions, but I'm checking with my boys to see who did. Once I find some, I'll post 'em. The videos will be coming soon.

Many blessings!

Onile!

[onile]

Okay, one of my boys came through for me. Ismael Fernandez, un gran caballero and just an all around great person provided me with some pics to post while I work on the videos.

[onile]

Okay, seriously now, here are some pics for your enjoyment my brothers!

(Getting ready for the clinic)

(Testing out the skins)

(Testing out the timbales)

(My boy, Ismael who was an incredible help that day)

(Here we are at my house, me, "La Mole", EJ, Negro!)

[vinnieL]

Wow brother what a great experience.

[KING CONGA]

Man bro. what a blessing, I would have driven all the way from Cali just to have seen, hear and to have been part of that clinic. Onile I head out to Arizona to visit family once in a while maybe on one of those trips I could stop by to chatt and to have some sweet fellowship and of course...some Rumba

[onile]

Chevere Mi Hermano King Conga!
Absolutely, whenever you plan on coming out, shoot me an e-mail and well make it happen brothelito!

Suave!

Onile!

[Firebrand]

just to give a headsup...it was an extremely productive trip. Took lessons with David La Mole, Tito De Gracia, and bass player Sammy Morales. I recorded like an hour worth of exercises and ideas. Now to actually get to work and study it!