MONGO & TITO

[JohnnyConga]

Well when Omelenko speaks about Mongo and his playing it's all about his time here in America...we weren't listening to "Cha Cha" or anybody else(except for Tata when we could buy a record with him on it).....Mongo dominated the whole scene...he was very much respected by his peers..and when Omelenko says Mongos 'sound' was unparallelled, it's true...Mongo could be heard outside a club down the block and around the corner...for those that never saw him live you missed an incredible player...I have his DEMO record (his first recording 1952)..it was released as Bembe later on...Mongo introduced to US, Rumba, Guaguanco, Bembe Bricamo, and many other rhythms...I sat and played with Mongo many times as Omelenko did, he was a humble beautiful man that was powerful in his playing and his solos are "patented"...I tell all my students the root for us is MONGO!...study the man, learn from the man, and listening to him u will learn a lot....his quinto, unbelievable!.. and was the beginning for us to learn how to play the Conga drum...it's because of him I have been playing now for 48 years and counting.. I owe Mongo a huge THANK YOU!...and did Thank him many times . so for you young guys that are trying to play at the speed of light...back it up and go to the root- Mongo!...JC Johnny Conga

[onile]

Beautifully said JC!

I agree with what is being said about the great "Mongo Santamaria" Ibaye! It comes down to respect as well, even though many of us NEVER saw him "Live", or learned of him most recently (the newer players), it doesn't negate the verosity of those who sat elbow to elbow with the man and played, or even sat down and broke bread with him.....what a blessing that must have been Omelenko y JC and the others on here who may have also!




No ay ma'na!

Onile!

[niallgregory]

Mongo was the one of the first conga players i ever heard , although at the time i didnt even know it was him ! A second generation tape was passed onto to me when i was learning how to play . I loved his playing from the off ! Later on i got my hands on some rumba recordings from cuba and found them harder to get into for some reason , until i discovered Los papines . My favourite quinto player has to jesus alfonso of munequitos though , he was a genius imho .

[Bongobilly]

Omelenko1: J C : You guys were blessed to have the opportunity to know and play with Mongo. I ve seen Mongo play at different events and lets not forget his stick on bongos playing was killer too.The best one for me was at the Bottom Line in N.Y.C where you can hear and see him up close. Drove some guy in the crowed crazy he kept yelling Mongo, Mongo Mongo! and brought Mongo a beer which he did not drink and they had to escort the guy out cause Mongo made him nut's! Even when you listen to the Fania all star's live in Yankee stadium cut Bongo Congo Mongo is just so noticeable over Ray's solo ( even with Ray's quinto tune up higher) Don't get me wrong im a Ray fan too!

[JohnnyConga]

I was there at Yankee Stadium and witnessed it live...Ray was Great But Mongo's energy and power overtook Ray and it caused a 'fan riot' where "we' the people ran on to the field to be closer to the stage, as it was out on 2nd base and we were all in the stands...i will never forget those nights at Yankee Stadium and Mongo....

[Isaac]

Thanks guys for this wonderful thread.

I was fortunate also to have seen Mongo perform in NYC over a 10 year period
before he moved to Florida. Once at the Village Gate seeing Mongo,
I went to the payphone out in the lobby, and called back to Toronto,
so my girlfriend could here him play over the phone. That energy and
excitement he generated was one of a kind.

All the other guys mentioned are unique legends as well. I just
didn't get to spend time seeing them. Time to appreciate
now our living masters and encourage the young ones coming up.

Isaac
Winnipeg, Canada

[BRONXNATIVE]

Hola Johnny this is DOUG, i was also at the yankee stadium concert i think bac in 73 or 74, i got to say MONGO ripped it up. I just wanted to elaborate as to where ppl here on the forum mention whose a better drummer. Remember MONGO,AGUA,PERAZA,CANDIDO,TATA,PAPAITO,JULITO were from different parts of Cuba, bringing their traditions to the mainland, each one 'unique' having a style of their own. Just my opinion, its not whose better, its about appreciating the different styles and you can't get no better than these cats. ALAFIA

[Bongobilly]

Wow J.C And Bronxnative: You guys were there at Yankee Stadium! We old guys are fortunate to have seen and experience great musician's of the era.They were pushing the limit's and not being held back as much as now with the record companies.

[RitmoBoricua]

They were pushing the limit's and not being held back as much as now with the record companies.

What record companies? Like FAS at Yankee stadium in 1973 they are history for the most part.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[Bongobilly]

Once again Mongo just drove everybody crazy! Like being shocked by Lightning!

[RitmoBoricua]

Leedy,

One thing I noticed is that I am pretty sure Billy Cobham was not at the Yankee Stadium that night, his part was edited in later on. When you listen to FAS at Yankee Stadium Vol. I and II recordings I believe you are really listening on most of them songs FAS at the Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico since the concert at Yankee Stadium ended kind of prematurally for obvious reasons.

Case in point, Mi Gente video was recorded in San Juan Puerto Rico not the Yankee Stadium.

[Anonimo]

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

[niallgregory]

Hola Johnny this is DOUG, i was also at the yankee stadium concert i think bac in 73 or 74, i got to say MONGO ripped it up. I just wanted to elaborate as to where ppl here on the forum mention whose a better drummer. Remember MONGO,AGUA,PERAZA,CANDIDO,TATA,PAPAITO,JULITO were from different parts of Cuba, bringing their traditions to the mainland, each one 'unique' having a style of their own. Just my opinion, its not whose better, its about appreciating the different styles and you can't get no better than these cats. ALAFIA

Mainland ? LOL I reckon Cubans would have something to say about that

[BRONXNATIVE]

Yo Ireland when i sed mainland i meant the good ol U.S.A. so stop speaking for the Cubanos cause their was NO disrespect intended.