The congas are derived from the single-headed hand drums of the Congo (Bantú), above all the tambores makuta. n the comparsa, as well as in Rumba and early Son Montuno of the conjuntos, only a single tumbadora is played by one drummer. Congeros like Cand
In the context of bata drumming, polyrhythm means most of the toques may be written in 12/8 meter but have some drum parts that emphasize a 2, 4, or 8 feel while others simultaneously emphasize a 3, 6, or 12 feel.
a documentary film that introduces viewers to the history of Afro-Cuban music and samples Cuba's current music scene. The film's producer/director, jazz saxophonist J. Plunky Branch, documents and highlights the musical collaborations of Afro-Cuban musici
Performs music and dance from Yoruba, Orisha, Congo/Abakua/Arara, rumba guanguanco, son, danzon, mambo, yuka, comparsa, chancleta, and more folkloric dance of Afro-Cuban tradition.
Cuban-born Ezequiel Torres is a highly acclaimed batá drummer based in Miami, Florida. He is also considered by many to be the most outstanding craftsman of batá drums in the United States, also specializing in making congas, shekerés, cajones and the
As an Omó Añá and Olubatá, Ezequiel uses the batá drums to call forth 22 Orishas (deities) through a series of particular rhythms. He learned the complex tradition of batá drumming and Orisha chanting from the legendary Griots of these Afro-Cuban c
BataMbira is a contemporary synthesis of folkloric musics from Zimbabwe and Cuba. Mbira (thumb piano) and bata (drums) blend unusually and vivaciously.