Im often invited to perform in the 'llamadas" or comparsas de Candombe for the Uruguayan Independance Day festival parades. Its alot of fun and a great feeling to be surrounded by drums in every direction. The ground beneath us shakes when everyone plays.
As you march, people from the crowd often rush up to the drummers and bring a glass of wine up to your mouth and pour it in as you play without stopping! Great stuff, the Uruguayans love it.
3 different sized drums, 2 set/variation ostinato patterns with a third drum improvising, played in 3/2 straight clave.
Similar in concept to Rumba Guaguanco format etc
I will see if I can dig out some images from the recent comparsas I played in which I have on my home PC (at work now)
Here is some footage I found from last years Candombe performance at the showground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ABqsWOfOVkIts rare for any of these guys to play congas, they kinda stick to their own and dont really get involved with anything Afro Cuban, I have studied Candombe with some of their most prolific players, due to my smashing left hand slap I often get asked to play the 'Chico' drum (kind of like the role of the tres golpes), alternatively I will play the 'Piano' drum (similar role to the Salidor). One of my main students is a great Candombe drummer, he is looking to expand his drumming knowledge from just Candombe which can tend to be a bit repetitive. Been studying with me now for about 6 months, he's coming along nicely.
Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 2:58 pm