Jazz Congas

[roberthelpus]

Dig the Kenton track, Ramon Lopez is very tasteful, making each note count without resorting to just speed and flash. That video makes me wish that I was Stan Kenton in a way.

[Percussination]

The question I asked originally was about SWUNG jazz, like triplet-based music.
Please don't forget this.

[JohnnyConga]

Im 'sorry but you didnt really mean "SWUNG JAZZ"?...I believe you meant to say "swing jazz"...?.....'swing' is the feel put into that triplet..try feeling it more to the 6/8 rather than to the 3/4..and try that feel....

[Percussination]

Im 'sorry but you didnt really mean "SWUNG JAZZ"?...I believe you meant to say "swing jazz"...?.....'swing' is the feel put into that triplet..try feeling it more to the 6/8 rather than to the 3/4..and try that feel....

I'm quite confused by this post. :S

[JohnnyConga]

You used the term "swung jazz" as far as I know that is not a musical term that I have ever heard ..so do you mean "swing jazz' rather than 'swung jazz"?...

[Percussination]

You used the term "swung jazz" as far as I know that is not a musical term that I have ever heard ..so do you mean "swing jazz' rather than 'swung jazz"?...

I've used both, and have yet to encounter any problems. SWING jazz is a type of jazz, and it's the type of jazz that is SWUNG. I'm sometimes use swung jazz to describe any kind of jazz with swung eighth notes just to distinguish from "swing" jazz, big band from the 30's 40's and 50's. Cause some of this modern swung 8th jazz sounds nothing like SWING music.

I get what you are saying though. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[davidpenalosa]

In the Latinjazz forum (Yahoo groups), Bobby Sanabria recently posted:

"If anyone wants a clinic on how to play the conga drum in straight ahead jazz swing feel context, get this album:

http://www.amazon.com/Candido-featuring ... 170&sr=8-5

Candido's first as a leader in 1955. It features a killer band of Al Cohen on tenor, Whitey Mitchell on acoustic bass, Joe Puma on guitar, Dick Katz on piano, and Ted Sommers (who played on a lot of the RCA Puente sessions in the 50's) on drums. Required, required, required, listening."

Candido

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Speaking of swing, Mike Spiro and I will be giving a lecture/demonstration at the annual week-long Afro-Cuban workshop at Humboldt State (July 23-20:
http://www.humboldt.edu/afrocuban/).

From the website:

SWING: THE ELUSIVE FEEL
Tues., July 26 • 1:45-3:15 p.m.

Michael Spiro and David Peñalosa will explain and demonstrate swing, the most elusive and intangible element of Afro-Cuban rhythms.
David Peñalosa will begin the first section by examining the definitions of the term, and by demonstrating how the same cross-rhythms that generate clave, also generate swing. He will next show how triple-subdivisions can be substituted for duple-subdivisions. The first section will conclude with an analysis of stroke displacement, a phenomenon of swing, where certain attack-points fall in-between the triple/duple-subdivision "grid."

David Peñalosa teaching at the annual HSU Afro-Cuban workshop. Photo: Hohanna Rose © 2010.

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In the second section, Michael Spiro will demonstrate his technique of stroke displacement, which he calls fix. As Michael says in his groundbreaking book, The Conga Drummer's Guidebook:

"(In) Afro-centric musics the rhythmic distinction between three subdivisions per beat and four subdivisions per beat (triple vs. duple), is frequently blurred. In several cases, the difference does not exist at all – there is a completely "new" subdivision at work. This is what gives rumba from Cuba and samba from Brazil and even certain kinds of bebop their unique characters . . . I call this 'averaging' of rhythm between a four and a six feel, fix (four and six), and it is an essential component of learning to swing in these styles. Fix is a concept we must acquire, manipulate and finally, internalize" (2006: 38).

Michael Spiro playing batá at the annual HSU Afro-Cuban workshop. Photo: Hohanna Rose © 2010.

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[bongosnotbombs]

Ah thanks David, you reminded me to put this CD of Candido's back on. Listening to it now.

[davidpenalosa]

There's some good, solid swing conga playing on that record.

[FidelsEyeglasses]

Another good one:

Choose the "free" link:
http://rapidshare.com/files/440137534/Billy_Taylor_Trio-Candido.rar

Markito

[CongaTick]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVyMujx6ItI

[bongosnotbombs]

Thanks Mark, I'm going to be downloading that one later on, thanks for the link,

[FidelsEyeglasses]

R.I.P. Billy taylor.

Billy Taylor Trio featuring Candido - Mambo Inn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtKBCil6qTk

M.

[JohnnyConga]

Don't know how many of u may have heard of Bobby but he was a percussionist at one time for Weather Report and has been around for a very long time. His father was also a renowned jazz musician. He lives in Florida and this is him to day ...playing 'his way"(somewhat similar to Master Henry Gibson)....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4htanpMxp-8