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Latin America

The story of how Oscar D’León’s “La Salsa Mayor” came about

How Oscar D’ León’s “La Salsa Mayor” came about, is a story that has already been commented on, including the subsequent separation of musicians that the aforementioned orchestra had, which gave way to the formation of another well-known group (Nuestra Orquesta la Salsa Mayor), is also a well-known story, but one as a good music lover always wants to continue to investigate and whenever the opportunity arises to make a healthy discussion about the subject in question, one does so without any qualms.

That is why it is never too much to remember some interesting facts that adorn this story, such as the headline that appeared on the front page of Swing Latino magazine in November 1977, which read: “KO a la Dimensión? OSCAR D’LEÓN after signing WLADIMIR.

In summary, the article said that Wladimir had intentions of leaving Dimension because of an alleged refusal of a loan request, a situation that induced the vocalist to want to sign with another orchestra. Another excerpt of the article says that Oscar D’León in his eagerness to have Wladimir in his orchestra, would have given him the money to satisfy his economic needs, but in exchange he would have signed a contract with the orchestra.

“La Salsa Mayor“de Oscar D’León
“La Salsa Mayor“de Oscar D’León

In short, by that time in November 1977, these were only speculations, of course, as it is also mentioned in the article in a jocular way “When the river sounds it is because it brings stones”.

The truth is that the year 1978 arrived and in the Swing Latino of March another headline appeared on the front page “¡LA DIMENSIÓN LATINA SE VA DE VENEZUELA! pero Wladimir se queda con Oscar”, which clearly shows that those speculations or rumors that were made in the salsa milieu at that time were a reality that quickly materialized.

“Last February 20, the bolerista presented his resignation to Dimensión Latina and began to work his notice period. In the meantime, he has already begun his rehearsals with Salsa Mayor and will soon be fully incorporated into this group that already threatens to become a real monster not only nationally but also beyond our borders, which we have no doubt he will now achieve with this valuable acquisition” (Swing Latino. March 1978).

Now, only a month had passed when another news about the orchestra of the dancing bass shakes the salsa milieu, “¡SE DISOLVIO LA SALSA MAYOR!”, headline that appeared in Swing Latino for May 1978 and stating: “Seven of the ten musicians that made up the prestigious group of Oscar D’León, left the orchestra for economic reasons”.

The rest is already known history, the negrito from Antimano reassembled his orchestra with some musicians from “La Critica” and others who came from the orchestra “La Renovación”, which at the same time also dissolved and the rumba continued.

Con Bajo y Todo  Oscar D' León's "La Salsa Mayor"
Con Bajo y Todo  Oscar D’ León’s “La Salsa Mayor”

In August of that year 1978, Oscar D’León’s last album was announced under the name of “LA SALSA MAYOR”, a fabulous double LP, that just by looking at its cover you could already feel the strength with which the sonero from Caracas was coming along with the diminutive in stature but great with his voice, Wladimir Lozano.

The internal title of the album spoke for itself, “TRANQUILO Y SIN MIEDO”, this makes us think that the phrase had a double meaning, remember that the musicians who defected to form the other Salsa Mayor, recorded that famous song: “Fuimos Amigos”, where they throw a few puns at Oscar and this “calm and fearless”, returns them in the song: “La Mano”… “Why did not you follow me when I gave you my hand?”Now it weighs on you, you fell in the mud”… Chorus: “Que te vaaaya bien”.

The album is excellent as almost all the ones published by D’León in those past decades, all the songs are good, but I can’t help but comment and recognize that the song that I liked and still like the most from this double album is “MARIA”, maybe because in every man’s life there has always been a Maria…My respects and salsalutation to all of you.

Enrrique “Culebra” Irierte y Dj. Augusto Felibertt
Enrrique “Culebra” Irierte y Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Oscar D’León y su Salsa Mayor (double play) (1978) ths-1225

Disc 1 – Side A

  1. Que cosa tan linda (Oscar D’León) Singer: Oscar D’León
  2. Consentida (Alfredo Nuñez de Borbón) Singers: Wladimir and Oscar
  3. La mano (Sandy Omar González) Sung by: Oscar
  4. Te llamo (D.D.) Sing: Wladimir and Oscar

Disc 1 – Side B

  1. Dulce desengaño (Armando Beltrán) Sung by: Oscar and Wladimir
  2. De frente Panamá (L: Andrés Vega, M: José Zamora) Sung: Oscar D’León
  3. Mira que eres linda (J. Brito) Sung by: Wladimir Lozano
  4. Consígueme eso (Pedro N. Perez) Sings: Oscar D’León

Disc 2 – Side A

  1. Sandunguera (M. Guerra) Sung by: Wladimir and Oscar.
  2. Piénsalo bien (Agustín Lara) Sings: Wladimir Lozano
  3. Ven morena (R. Paz) Sing: Oscar D’Leó
  4. Ausencia (Rafael Hernández) Sing: Oscar and Wladimir

Disc 2 – Side B

  1. Reclamo místico (M. Matamoros) Sing: Wladimir y Oscar

María (Florentino Padrón) Sing: Oscar D’León

  1. Chancunche No. 1: Sing: Wladimir and Oscar

*Que noche tan linda (B. Diez, A. M. Romeu)

*Inconsolable (Rafael Hernández)

*Micaela (Raúl Guillaume)]

Musicians:

Enrique “Culebra” Iriarte (Piano).

Oscar D’León (Bass)

Rhadames Pimentel (Congas)

Edward Pimentel (Timbal)

Hungary Rojas (Bongo)

Ángel López (1st Trumpet)

César López (2nd Trumpet)

César Pinto (3rd Trumpet)

Tarcisio Piñango (1st Trombone)

Pedro Piñando (2nd Trombone)

Andrés Mendoza / Pedro Vilela (Tres)

Oscar D’León (Vocal)

Wladimir Lozano (Vocal)

Oscar D’León / Víctor Mendoza / Humberto “Tigre” Becerra (Backing Vocals)

Enrique Iriarte / Oscar D’León / José “Cholo” Ortiz (Arrangements)

Other Credits:

Intersonido C.A. Recording Studios.

Sound Technicians: Agustín Verde and Carlos Guzmán

Mixing: Rafael Hernandez

Art Direction: Víctor Mendoza

Idea, Design and Album Art: Drago Fernández

Photos: All Freddy.

Source:

José “Cheo” Guevara

Enrrique “Culebra” Iriarte

Enrrique “Culebra” Iriarte

You can read: Víctor Porfirio Baloa Díaz, more commonly known as Porfi Baloa

La Sonora Matancera musical congregation of long trajectory and its sound quality, is one of the most popular in the Caribbean island “Cuba”

It was founded in Matanzas in 1924 under the name of La Tuna Liberal.

Its first members were: Valentín Cané, director and tres player, Manuel Valera, guitar and second voice, Manuel Sánchez (Jimagua), timbal, Ismael Governa, cornetín, Pablo Vázquez Govín (Bubú), double bass, Domingo Medina, guitar, Ismael Goberna, cornetín, Julio Govín, guitar, José Manuel Valera, guitar, Juan Bautista Llopis, guitar.

In 1926 Carlos Manuel Díaz Alfonso (Caíto), falsetto voice and maracas, and Rogelio Martínez Díaz (El Gallego), guitar, joined the group and it adopted the name Sexteto Soprano.

On January 12, 1927, under the name of Estudiantina Sonora Matancera, they moved to Havana. In November of that year they recorded their first two recordings for the Victor label: Fuera, fuera, chino, by José Manuel Valera, and El porqué de tus ojos, by Valentín Cané.

With the definitive name of Conjunto Sonora Matancera, it began its transmissions on the radio station El Progreso Cubano (later Radio Progreso). At that time it appeared on Radio Atwater Kent; in 1932, at the suggestion of Rogelio Martínez Díaz, it took the name of Sonora Matancera, and began its performances in the Havana Sport dance academies, and later in Marte and Belona, and later became part of the cast of CMQ Radio. In 1935, trumpeter Calixto Leicea joined the group; in 1939, composer, pianist and orchestrator Severino Ramos, who gave the Sonora its distinctive sound with his orchestrations.

La Sonora Matancera congregación musical de larga trayectoria y su calidad sonora, es una de las más populares en la isla caribeña “Cuba”
La Sonora Matancera congregación musical de larga trayectoria y su calidad sonora, es una de las más populares en la isla caribeña “Cuba”

In 1944 pianist Lino Frias and trumpeter Pedro Knight Caraballo joined the group, who with Calixto Leicea formed the most interesting trumpet duo in the history of Cuban ensembles; in 1945 singer Bienvenido Granda Aguilera; in 1948, Angel Alfonso Furias (Yiyo), tumbadora. At this time the Sonora Matancera was formed by Rogelio Martínez Díaz, director, guitarist and chorus; Pablo Vázquez Govín (Bubú), double bass; José del Rosario Chávez (Manteca), timbal; Ángel Alfonso Furias (Yiyo), tumbadora, who replaced Valentín Cané; Calixto Leicea, first trumpet; Pedro Knight Caraballo, second trumpet; Lino Frías, pianist; Carlos Manuel Díaz Alfonso (Caíto), falsetto voice and maracas; Bienvenido Granda, singer and claves; and Celia Cruz, who soon became the stellar singer we knew and the mainstay of the Sonora Matancera hits. Thus began a period that critics have called the golden age of the Sonora.

In 1950, with the advent of television, the Sonora Matancera was one of the first musical groups to perform on this medium. It also signed a contract with the Seeco record company, with whose recordings it made a name for itself in the international market. In 1952, Raimundo Elpidio Vázquez replaced his father, Pablo Vázquez, on double bass (when Rogelio Martínez Díaz died in 2001, he took over the leadership of the group).

In 1926, it changed its name to “Septeto Soprano”. That same year, Carlos M. Díaz “Caíto” accompanied Eugenio Pérez in the choir.

Later in 1927, on Caíto’s recommendation, Rogelio Martínez joined the group and the name of the group was changed to Estudiantina Sonora Matancera.

Sonora Matancera
Sonora Matancera

With a great desire to improve the group travels to Havana where they get in touch with the record company “RCA Victor” and make their first recording on January 12, 1928.

At the beginning of the thirties, the group began to adapt to the new rhythms that were appearing at that time as well as adapting new instruments, such as the grand piano, which was played for the first time in the group by Dámaso Pérez Prado, who years later would become the “King of the Mambo”.

But it was in 1935 when the group took the name La Sonora Matancera, and with this change it introduced a new trumpet player: Calixto Leicea, who replaced Ismael Goberna, who died a few months later due to health problems.

The unforgettable José Rosario Chávez “Manteca”, who replaced the resigned “Jimagua”, also joined the band. Humberto Cané joined the group playing the tres and his father Valentín Cané began playing the tumbadora.

In 1938, Dámaso Pérez Prado retired and left the vacant piano position to Severino Ramos, who soon after became the musical arranger of the group.

During the first years of the forties they made presentations in dance academies, cabarets and in Radio Progreso Cubano, they also included in their repertoire: guarachas, montunos.

On January 6, 1944, two musicians from Arsenio Rodriguez’s group joined the group: Lino Frias (author of the popular song Mata Siguaraya) who began to play the piano and Pedro Knight who became the second trumpet player of the Sonora Matancera.

In the month of December, Bienvenido Granda enters the band recommended as vocalist, being his first recording “La Ola Marina” by Virgilio González, and with him they sign a contract with the nascent record label Panart Records. Valentín Cané, Israel del Pino, Caíto and Humberto Cané made recordings with this label.

In the middle of 1946 the founder Valentín Cané suffers asthmatic problems that force him to leave the group, dying two years later. Before the group joined Panart Records, it recorded other songs for the “Varsity” label, without the name of the Sonora Matancera appearing on the labels, here the first version of “Se Formó la Rumbantela” by Pablo Cairo, “Tumba Colorá”, “El Cinto De Mi Sombrero”, Bienvenido Granda and Humberto Cané participated in these numbers.

El Regreo de La Sonora Matancera 2022 2023
El Regreo de La Sonora Matancera 2022 2023

Members

Trumpets: Calixto Leicea and Pedro Knight

Double Bass: Elpidio Vázquez, replacing his father Pablo Vázquez, “Bubu”.

Piano: Lino Frías

Timbales, Bongó and Campana: José Rosario Chávez “Manteca” Chávez

Tumbadora: Ángel Alfonso Furias “Yiyo”.

Guitar and Choir: Rogelio Martínez

Maracas and Chorus: Carlos Díaz Alonso “Caíto”.

Claves and Choir: Bienvenido Granda.

Last January 13, 2023 they turned 99 years old and are still going strong from generation to generation.

Source:

Enrrique “Culebra” Iriarte, Venezuelan pianist, arranger and orchestra conductor.

Bibliography: Ecured Cuba

La Sonora Matancera 

You can read: Carlos “Patato” Valdés one of the best percussionists in the history of Latin Jazz

Santa La Salsera and Diva of Mexico with her unique voice and style will continue to conquer us all

Originally from Boca Mar, in the beautiful port of Acapulco, Mexico.

From a musical family lineage, from the age of 3 she began her interest in the artistic medium; despite this her parents did not agree that she should dedicate herself to this career, but motivated by the musical taste of her mother she was inspired by great divas of the genre such as Mrs. Celia Cruz, La Lupe, Celeste Mendoza, Mercedita Valdes and Omara Portuondo.

Originaria de la Boca Mar, en el bello Puerto de Acapulco, Gro. México
Originaria de la Boca Mar, en el bello Puerto de Acapulco, Gro. México

She alternated with the Cuban actor and singer Zamorita, who invited her to sing solo in the well-known ECO Program and from there encouraged her to sing tropical music, since it was more in line with her image and voice; Later she got a job at the emblematic Blanquita Theater where she alternated with the legendary Sonora Santanera of Carlos Colorado, where she had the opportunity to compete against representatives of several Latin American countries in the international program “Sábado Gigante” with Don Francisco, in the section known as “Tropicalísimo” winning first place shared with Venezuela and thanks to her triumph she was discovered by the Director of Radio Tropical in Mexico, Mr. Manuel Durán, who recommended her to the Vice President of Musivisa, Mr. José Manuel Presa.

The Company was interested in her and from then on Santa signed a contract with Fonovisa Tropical. La Acapulqueña recorded her first production in Mexico City, titled “No me Provoques”, which was presented on August 15, 1994 at the Salón Verde y Oro of XEW Radio.

Verde y Oro of XEW Radio in Mexico City. “No me Provoques” reached the top of the charts with songs such as: “Corazón de Acero”, “Amor Pasión y Locura” and “Rey de mi Habitación”.

The second production “Lo Quiero a Morir” was recorded in Puerto Rico (in the then Gran Combo studio) for its internationalization, the song of the same name, was placed in the first place of popularity in the island itself, some countries of Central America and the United States of America.

The third production “Santa la Fiera” was recorded in the city of Miami, under the label On Top Records and produced by the renowned composer Victor Daniel, author of “La Vida es un Carnaval” with songs of more varied genre such as: “No vale la pena llorar”, “Tú eres hielo” and “Soy demasiado Mujer”.

After an absence, Santa resumed his career in 2012, with his fourth production “Yo soy santa para ti”, from which he managed to three singles “No tengas miedo”, “Sólo mírame” and “Como agua entre las manos”.

Santa has had the opportunity to participate in numerous television programs, as well as massive festivals, to mention a few: opening of the “Festival Boca del Río Veracruz, 1995” “Los Maestros de la Salsa 1996” (in Mexico City) “La Convención de Radio y Música 1996” (in Puerto Rico), “Festival 5 de Mayo 1997” (in Chicago), “Fiesta Mexicana de Raisin y Milwakee”, “Teletón Internacional de Chicago”, “Viva Chicago y Teletón de Honduras”.

Nino Segarra y Santa La Salsera y Diva de México
Nino Segarra y Santa La Salsera y Diva de México

As well as international television programs such as “En Vivo”, “Hoy con Daniela, Zambombazo, Pácetelas”:, “Un Nuevo Día” and “Siempre en Domingo”, “Dr. Simi”, who dedicated a special to him, to mention a few”.

He has also had the opportunity to perform with great figures of his genre, such as: Tito Puente (who was his godfather), Celia Cruz, Jerry Rivera, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Grupo Niche, Eddie Santiago, Cheo Feliciano, Rey Ruiz, Los Hermanos Rosario, La Ponceña, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Luis Enrique, among many others. In 2012 she resumes her career after an absence, she returns with her production “Yo soy santa para ti” placing herself in the taste of the genre lovers with songs like “Sólo mírame” “No tengas miedo” “Arrepentida”.

In 2013 she released the single “Llorarás” from her production “Yo soy como soy”, which includes unpublished songs, under the direction of the Veracruz producer and arranger Xavier Reyes.

Most of the songs were recorded in Mexico City, with the exception of “No quiero más mentiras” in New York, and “Mío primero” in Puerto Rico” with musicians of international stature. It includes two duets “Amiga” with Frakie Ruiz Jr. and “Cosas del amor” with Ariana Dao as well as the covers “Bidi, bidi, bom, bom” and “Si una vez” as a tribute to Selena Quintanilla.

After his tour he took a short break from music to participate in a short theater production dedicated to the “divo de Juárez” Juan Gabriel, called “Ya lo sé que tú te vas”, which he enjoyed very much in his acting career.

In addition, she received awards in her country such as the AMS AWARD for best female Salsera and the “Candilejas de oro” for her career.

She also participated as a host in the magazine show “Reventón musical”.

In 2018 she was invited to participate in the project “Divas de la salsa”, which took place in New York City representing Mexico and sharing the stage with various divas of the genre from other countries.

In May 2019, she toured Canada for 3 months, leaving her mark and in the last quarter of the same year, she travels to Colombia to continue expanding in the international market.

Her salsa version of “Si una vez” gives her the surprise to be placed naturally in the taste of the Colombian public and, as a result, the doors are opened to participate in events of the Feria de Cali alternating with the most important figures of the genre; she also participated as a special guest to sing in the tribute made to the master Gilberto Santa Rosa.

Once again Santa had the opportunity to leave her country high and show that Mexico also has and makes its good “molcajete salsa” as she calls it, inspired by these joyful Caribbean countries.

Back in Mexico, Santa started her online entertainment program “Santa con Ton y Son” with Raul Silva “El Titan de la Salsa” as her partner, which lasted only a short time on the air, due to some commitments she had to fulfill in the U.S. that were postponed because of the COVID pandemic; However, in the meantime Santa dedicated himself to write some songs that reflect feelings generated from that global chaos, such as “Chao Chao” which he recorded in Mexico City in December of 2021 as a duet with Ricardo Amador, accompanied by La Internacional Orquesta Controversia, of which a live video was recorded with great acceptance.

Santa Salsera y Diva de México con su voz y estilo único seguirá conquistándonos a todos
Santa Salsera y Diva de México con su voz y estilo único seguirá conquistándonos a todos

In addition to new duets and surprises that he is preparing in 2022 for the pleasure of the dancers.

Surely with his voice and unique style, coupled with his charisma and stage presence, Santa will continue to conquer us all.

Enlace Externo: Santa Salsera and Diva of Mexico

You can read: Irakere was a Cuban group that developed an important work in Cuban popular music and Latin Jazz under the direction of Chucho Valdés

Salsa at Hacienda El Paraíso with Los Lebron Brothers Orchestra

The house of Hacienda El Paraíso or Casa de la Sierra, was built between 1816 and 1828, by Don Victor Cabal, a cattle rancher from Bugueño and ex-mayor of Cali. On June 20, 1854 it was sold to Don Jorge Enrique Isaacs, father of the poet, in whose hands it remained until June 15, 1858.

On April 18, 1953 it was acquired by the Department of Valle del Cauca and its first restoration was carried out by the master Luis Alberto Acuña in 1954.

It was declared a National Monument on December 30, 1959. It currently holds the status of Cultural Interest of the Nation.

With Law 397 of 1997 the properties previously declared national monuments were considered as properties of cultural interest and by Law 1185 of 2008 the BIC were defined as such due to the special interest that the property has for the community throughout the national territory…” (Law 1185 of 2008, Article 5, which modifies Article 8 of Law 397 of 1997).

Los Lebron Brothers agradecidos y maravillados con Cali graban en enero de 1990 el elepé “Salsa en el Paraíso”
Los Lebron Brothers agradecidos y maravillados con Cali graban en enero de 1990 el elepé “Salsa en el Paraíso”

The Hacienda El Paraíso de Cali, setting of “María” written by Jorge Isaacs, a novel of an impossible romance and such wonderful landscapes that some Japanese decided to live in these lands just by reading the novel, landscapes that the Lebron Brothers also fell in love with.

The Lebron Brothers, grateful and amazed with Cali, recorded in January 1990 the LP “Salsa en el Paraíso” for the short-lived Cali label AstroSon Records, the hit of the album was the song “Thinking” with vocals by Luisito Ayala (RIP).

Los Lebron Brothers“ Salsa en el Paraíso”
Los Lebron Brothers“ Salsa en el Paraíso”

The Lebrón Rosa family was born with the union of Francisco Lebrón Feliciano and Julia Rosa Sosa (mother of Pablo López Rosa) in Aguadilla (Puerto Rico), where María Antonia, José, Ángel and Carlos Enrique were born. They moved to New York in 1952, where Frank was born; they were educated in a purely musical environment, the father wrote décimas and in the family most of them were musicians and played cuatro and guitar, besides singing.

Pablo Lopez, since childhood was noted for his voice, was born on June 30, 1937 in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.

Already settled in New York, he organized a trio “Las Tres Monedas” (1954). In 1962 José and Ángel formed their first group called Los Eltones.

Pablo founded the Orquesta Arecibeña (1965). Pablo managed to get the owner of the La Vega club in Brooklyn to give them an opportunity to audition, at which time José joined the Arecibeña as a pianist. In 1966 Angel Lebron y su Combo was formed, where his brother Carlos is the pianist.

The opportunity to record came from the hand of businessman George Goldner, head of the Cotique label, thanks to the fact that he had agreed to listen to them live.

As this meeting was important, Angel and Jose asked their brother Pablo to accompany them on vocals, to take advantage of his veteran and wonderful style.

The brothers Angel, Jose, Pablo and Carlos performed two boogaloos in their own way and style. It was Goldner who suggested that they call themselves Los Hermanos Lebrón and asked them to prepare a complete album.

Frank Lebron, Dj. Augusto Felibertt y Jose Lebron
Frank Lebron, Dj. Augusto Felibertt y Jose Lebron

The album appeared in 1967 under the title Psychodelic goes latin, which included the hit Summertime blues.

Thanks to the overwhelming success of the first work, in 1968 they presented their second album, The Brooklyn Bums, name of a famous baseball team. They released nine songs with interpretations in English and Spanish.

In 1969 the productions I Believe, (Lo tuyo Llegará) and Brother, (Pancho el Loco y Fe). These hits catapulted them internationally before the Latin American public, tracing a new musical horizon.

The boogaloo began to lose ground and Los Hermanos Lebrón reflected this change by producing an album entirely in Spanish with the title Llegamos, containing the songs Mi fracaso, Tus recuerdos (a song that achieved Pablo’s recognition as a great Bolerista).

BOOM…! SALSA…..!

In the same year with the production of the album Salsa y Control, success was glimpsed giving relevance and turning the term Salsa into a worldwide social phenomenon; where the younger brother (Frank Lebrón) makes his debut.

The innovations of three chorus singers (dubbed) were present, which gave it a true seal of distinction. In the boleros, they searched for the traditional sound of the Puerto Rican trios.

Los Lebron Brothers Orchestra

You can read: Luigi Texidor el Negrito del Sabor

Miguel “Angá” Díaz the percussionist who made his name in the ranks of Cuba’s legendary and enigmatic Irakere group

Miguel “Angá” Díaz (1961-2006) was a valuable and prolific Cuban percussionist. With his explosive solos and the creation of five conga toques, “Angá” was widely acclaimed as one of the world’s great congueros.

One of the mainstays of Afro-Cuban rhythm in recent times, Angá played with a multitude of jazz stars, from Chucho Valdés, Chick Corea or Steve Coleman, to Roy Hargrove, Minino Garay, Chano Domínguez and Herbie Hancock, among others.

The claim that he was one of the best percussionists in the world is backed up by the Grammy awards he won, his participation in such important projects as Buena Vista Social Club and the Afro-Cuban All Stars, and his status as sideman of geniuses like Tito Puente, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana or Danilo Pérez, as well as his membership in legendary groups like Irakere, according to Más i Más, the organizer of his concerts in Barcelona.

 Miguel "Angá" Díaz el percusionista que se dio a conocer en las filas del legendario y enigmático grupo Irakere de Cuba
 Miguel “Angá” Díaz el percusionista que se dio a conocer en las filas del legendario y enigmático grupo Irakere de Cuba

Father of three daughters – the eldest living in Cuba and the two younger ones in Paris – Angá never stopped searching for new forms of musical expression, experimenting with the fusion of different styles, such as jazz, African sounds, rock and hip-hop.

He was committed to the development of the conga, breaking the traditional barriers of percussion, to introduce them into classic Latin rhythms while preserving their distinctly Cuban roots.

He played with several Cuban artists, including Irakere, Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club, Omar Sosa, Omara Portuondo, Tata Güines, Rubén González and Orishas.

Miguel “Angá” Díaz
Miguel “Angá” Díaz

At that time he recorded and toured frequently with international musicians such as Steve Coleman, Roy Hargrove, Baba Sissoko, Ry Cooder, Pascal Coulon, Mezzadri Malik, Montgomery Buddy, Pascal Coulon and John Patitucci. Angá’s musical journey was a personal quest to investigate and create new sounds and rhythmic fusions.

More than just an artist, Angá demonstrated his commitment to the development of his instrument, teaching master classes at various schools and universities in North America and throughout Europe.

For Paris-based Argentine percussionist Minino Garay.

“He is indisputably one of the great percussionists of his generation; the greatest of all. His death causes me enormous sadness, as if it were a story that did not end,” lamented Garay, who will not attend the funeral this Friday, due to the fact that on that day he will give a concert in Vance, in the south of France. “I will certainly dedicate it to him,” he added.

Miguel Angá Díaz (1961-2006) fue un valioso y prolífico percusionista cubano
Miguel Angá Díaz (1961-2006) fue un valioso y prolífico percusionista cubano

Angá Díaz received his formal education at the Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba, and after joining the Latin jazz groups Opus 13 and Irakere, where he perfected his conga playing technique, he moved to Europe, where he devoted himself to exploring the fusion of styles, bringing Cuban music closer to other musics and thoroughly investigating the relationship between Afro-Cuban polyrhythms and technology.

In the summer of 2005, Angá released his first solo album EChu Mingua, which the musician himself described as “a musical religious mass. Spiritual music is when the spirits are invoked to come down to earth, inviting them to a party or to talk to them”, and that is “the whole concept of the album”.

Transgressor of conventions, Angá emerged as an independent, free and committed musician with a wide variety of projects, from experimental jazz with Steve Coleman and Roy Hargrove, and hip-hop with the Orishas, to his participation in Omar Sosa’s tours, in addition to participating in numerous alternative projects with musicians from all over the world.

Angá’s musical trajectory was a tireless search, whose main purpose was to explore and create new sounds, as well as rhythmic fusions.

Source: jornada.com.mx

Miguel “Angá” Díaz

You can read: Freddy de Jesús Ortega Ruiz “Coco & su Sabor Matancero”

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