I recently gave a lecture/demonstration on Cuban Rhythms at Howard Community College. I decided to convert some of my film negatives to disc so I could share them during the lecture. I couldn’t believe that it’s been 7 years since I went to Cuba to study traditional Afro-Cuban drumming! While I was in Cuba (legally, by the way, with a program from West Virginia University’s World Music department), I had the opportunity to study with Conjunto Folkorico Nacional de Cuba, Grupo Afro-Cuba de Mantanzas and Grupo Baobab. All great groups that I recommend checking out. Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba has a great CD called Musica Yoruba
Here are some photos of my Cuban travels (double click on images to see larger views):
Closeup of the Bata drums, used primarily in Santerian songs and ceremonies.
I studied with these great drummers from the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba: The National Cuban Folkloric Music and Dance group.
Santerian ceremony at Fredi House, Madrugas
This is another great group I studied with: Grupo Afro-Cuba. In this photo, they perform in their home town of Mantanzas. The regions of Havana and Mantanzas have different ways of interpreting certain rhythms such as the Rumbas guaguanco and yambu.
Grupo Afro-Cuba de Mantanzas
Grupo Afro-Cuba de Mantanzas
Grupo Afro-Cuba de Mantanzas
Grupo Afro-Cuba de Mantanzas
Grupo Afro-Cuba de Mantanzas
Mantanzas
Chinatown, Havana
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