by ABAKUA » Mon May 23, 2011 11:38 pm
I think you need to look outside of NYC / USA.
Music changing.. of course. Evolution.. Development. Back to that old topic of timbalero's, no disrespect intended but there is no chance in hell the likes of Manny O, Tito P, even Marrero etc etc would have a hope in hell of cutting it with the likes of todays Van Van, Klimax, Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Havana D'Primera, NG La Banda and so many more.
As Puntilla put it so many years ago.. La timba no es como ayer! Europe has a hell of a Latin/Cuban scene, clubs galore with live music, same with where I live, gigs all over the place, plus music is constantly evolving and with it, whats needed to cut it.
Example, this passed weekend we wwere reunited with the international touring act from Cuba 'Buena Vista Bar' we jammed/rumba at the welcome bbq, then went back to my bro's house and jammed on with most the band til the early hours of the morning. Even these guys which are getting on in age, and continue to play the traditional stuff, but have also continued to develop and we played some of the heaviest styles coming out of the island today.
The tree continues to grow branches, while the roots are not lost and maintained nothing wrong with more branches developing.