New York rhumbas in parks

[Bill Losh]

I will be in NYC the weekend of Nov. 2-3. I have heard the rumbas in central park or other parks in Brooklyn are great. Can any one tell me where to look? This is also the weekend of the NYC Marathon so maybe Sat. or Brooklyn would be better? Thanks, Bill Losh

[JohnnyConga]

HI BILL i DON'T MEAN TO BUST YOUR BUBBLE BUT THERE HAVEN'T BEEN ANY RUMBAS IN CENTRAL PARK SINCE THE LATE 70'S. i KNOW THEY JAM OUT IN pROSPECT pARK AND THE JAM UP ON 167TH AND WASHINGTON HEIGHTS. MAYOR GULIANI CUT OUT ALL THE JAMS IN THE PARKS YEARS AGO, TO CLEAN THE PARKS UP. NOT ONLY THAT THE GENERATION OF DRUMMERS TODAY IN THE CITY DON'T KNOW MUCH OR HANG TOGETHER WHEN IT COMES TO RUMBA. iM FROM THE BRONX AND GREW UP IN THE "RUMBA WARS" OF CENTRAL PARK ORCHARD BEACH,EAST RIVER DRIVE,JEROME AVE PARK AND 167TH,REESE BEACH AND OTHER PLACES THAT NO LONGER ARE HAPPENING.....AT YOUR SERVICE...FROM "DA BX"...JC JOHNNY CONGA...IF YOU CAN FIND PUNTILLA AND HIS GUYS MAYBE U COULD FIND A JAM OR 2.....

[tamboricua]

I will be in NYC the weekend of Nov. 2-3. I have heard the rumbas in central park or other parks in Brooklyn are great. Can any one tell me where to look? This is also the weekend of the NYC Marathon so maybe Sat. or Brooklyn would be better? Thanks, Bill Losh

Hi Bill, hope all is well! If you don't mind to travel to New Jersey. There is a strong rumba scene on Sunday's at "La Esquina Habanera" on Union City, New Jersey. "Raíces Habaneras" is the local rumba group. Some of the regulars are Pedro "Pedrito" Martínez, Roman Díaz, and Gene Golden among others.

Hope this helps!

Saludos, Jorge Ginorio

http://www.rhythmweb.com/jorge

[RayBoogie]

Hey Bill! I've gone to drumming circles in Prospect Park, but it's more african drumming than afro-cuban. I don't think they're having the drumming due to the weather.

TAMB is right! "La Esquina Habanera" is the spot to go, located in NJ.

You could also check out this website: http://www.wbgo.org, go to Music Calender and click on the date you wish to attend a performance.

Best regards.

[congamyk]

Hello, if you are ever in Kansas City, Missouri (when the weather is right) try Loose Park on Wornall Road & 55th Street.

Augustine, Bird and Pat Conway host a rumba jam. There are many fine players there. I hope to get a website up and running about Kansas City's Latin scene soon.

[JohnnyConga]

THE RUMBA IN NYCITY is held up on 163rd and Amsterdam ave. It has been going on since 1972, when I used to attend them.But during the winter they take it indoors to a basement,or sombody' house if available. Giuliani the ex-mayor of NYC cut all the jamming out of the parks. We also used to Jam at Jerome ave park on 167th st off the concourse in the Bronx and also used to jam behind Yankee stadium . We had a lot of places we played in the city ,back then. Hip Hop and other forms of music kinda did away with "rumba' in the parks. The younger generations are just not into it. It's too hard for them .They like everything easy today. They don't want to work for it. that is my humble opinion. Third and fourth Generation Puerto Ricans don't even speak spanish let alone want to play the drum, in NYC. Also there has been no new influx of Puerto Ricans or Cubans to New York City to influence that type of situation. I may be in Seattle but I keep abreast of what's going on in my "old backyard".......At yoru Service...JC JOHNNY CONGA.... MONGO LIVES!....

[KingKongas]

JC- When was the last time that you have ever actually JAMMed in the CITY??? Seems to me from what I have read that everytime someone brings up "jamming in the CITY" you say that it is dead. It's not DEAD! The city lives beyond you and beyond me!!! It may be more difficult to find the drummers but it's certainly not dead in the city. From this forum we can, in some way, gauge and track the drum circles all around us. Isnt that a beautiful thing?

To say the sweeping things you say in this post...

"Hip Hop and other forms of music kinda did away with "rumba' in the parks. The younger generations are just not into it. It's too hard for them .They like everything easy today. They don't want to work for it. that is my humble opinion. Third and fourth Generation Puerto Ricans don't even speak spanish let alone want to play the drum, in NYC. Also there has been no new influx of Puerto Ricans or Cubans to New York City to influence that type of situation. I may be in Seattle but I keep abreast of what's going on in my "old backyard"......."

is pretty ridiculous if I may say so myself...

I have heard of the NJ site for drumming and I hope to one day share my spirit there.

[yoni]

Being a native New Yorker, I must agree with Johnny Conga - the last great Central Park conga jams went out in the late '70's.

Been back to visit from time to time, but it ain't what it used to be!

yoni

[JohnnyConga]

Yea YONI....Now that's what I'm talking about!......I don't speak on what I don't know. My brother Willie works and plays with Totico and has been on the Rumba seen since I was on it back in 67 to 76 in NYC. I know of what i speak KK. If you want to hang with Willie and the fellas you can find him at Willies Steak house in the Bronx...he is just a BIG white boy that can throw down.........I taught him how......he's my Bro!. He'll show you where the REAL rumba is.....At your Service...JC JOHNNY CONGA...... MONGO LIVES!

[JohnnyConga]

BTW ....I JAMMED IN THE CITY 3 YEARS AGO. I do go back from time to time to "wet my beak" so to speak........pAZ...JC

[JohnnyConga]

yO BILL .....did you find a Rumba in NEW YORK CITY? If so where was it and how was it?......JC JOHNNY CONGA

[Bill Losh]

Johnny,
Didn't even get to look. It was a brutally cold weekend (for me, native Floridian) and the guy I was staying with became extremly ill so I baby sat, but that's what friends do. Being honest, I don't think my bare hands on skin could have taken it, I wore gloves just to walk to the subway. Cold weather and me don't get along.....of course, I would like to snow ski if it wasn't for the cold weather and snow.

[yoni]

Johnny,

Thanks for the tip about Willie's steakhouse in the Bronx.

Next time I'm in NY, I'll definitely check it out.

yoni

[yoni]

By the way, anyone know why I'm still listed as unregistered? I registered yesterday, and my first post in this thread proves it!

[pini]

Did u log in ?

pini