Happy Fathers day! - Feliz dia de los Padres! Sunday June 20th

My Father is no longer here in body,

but his spirit is always with me.

Happy Fathers day Papa!

I miss you!

1928

1936

Brooklyn, N.Y. 1941

Brooklyn, N.Y. 1941

Tunisia, North Africa 1942

La Habana, Cuba 1959

1960

Central Park N.Y.C. 1973

Central Park N.Y.C. 1974

My Father and myself, New Orleans 1974

Central Park N.Y.C. 1991

Central Park N.Y.C. 1994

2000

Video: Cuba - Guarapachangueo, concept and history, Los Chinitos

They mention
Manuel Martinez Olivera a.k.a "El Llanero"

In memoriam: Guillermo "El Negro" Triana Crespo

Guillermo "El Negro" Triana Crespo

photo: Barry Cox

*** Iba ayé ba yé t'orún ***
February 10 1940, La Habana, Cuba.
June 8th 2011, La Habana, Cuba.

Video: Cuba "No pare la rumba!"

El Callejon De Hamel

In memoriam: Félix "Pupy" Insua -Cuba-N.Y.C.-Cuba

Félix "Pupy" Insua
Rumbero, bailarine, dance teacher.
La Habana, Cuba 1948 - June 2nd 2011 La Habana, Cuba.

R.I.P. / Q.E.P.D.
*** Iba ayé ba yé t'orún ***

 Video:
The late Félix "Pupy" Insua :
dancing Rumba Columbia en La Habana
before he left and relocated to New York City.

Video:
El fallecido Félix "Pupy" Insua
junto con Roman Diaz




Video:
El fallecido Félix "Pupy" Insua y su hijo
Museum of Natural History December 2005.
Rumba Columbia

Sexto Sentido & João Donato "Bossa cubana" 2004 - Cuba

"Bossa Cubana"
Sexto Sentido & João Donato
**((**((**))**))**

Cuban vocal quartet Sexto Sentido, together with the Brasilian master João Donato: arrangements, acoustic piano, vocals.
Great project, great sessions recorded en Cuba.
Great variety of styles and materiel, several sung in English.
Tambores batá on The Beatles 'Come Together'.
The master João Donato's piano playing as always... is superb.

5 Pa' Ti - "Son Con Swing" 2000 - Cuba

"Son Con Swing"
5 Pa' Ti
CD - 2000

((****))

Cuban vocal quintet 5 Pa' Ti.
Tasty vocals, arrangements and very tasteful playing.
Two songs are sung in English, which to me sounds like
they're singing phonetically and do a very good job at it.

The earliest recordings of Cuban rumba

The earliest recordings of Cuban rumba:
A comprehensive summary

by Barry Cox.
(Esquina Rumbera blogspot)

Video: Cuba

Video: Cuba - La Ritmo Oriental

"Candela Brava"

"Hay Que Tener Cuidado Con La Percussion"

Havana Central, music Viernes 8:30pm-12:00a.m. Manhattan

I'll be playing with Grupo Irék Friday May 27th
at 'Havana Central', if you are in town come by.
8:30pm-12:00a.m. (gratis)
2911 Broadway (Between 113th & 114th St)
http://www.havanacentral.com/home.php

Netanyahu "El Diablo"

Benjamin Netanyahu:
Imperialist, colonialist devil.

Pototo y Filomeno with Orq.Melodias Del 40 - 1959 Cuba

Pototo y Filomeno mostly with Orq. Melodias Del 40
and several songs with a conjunto playing Son.
Download directly from Yoyo's excellent music blog.

Leopoldo Fernández y Aníbal De Mar
a.k.a. "Pototo & Filomeno" can be very funny on these...
though the real stars for me are Orq. Melodias Del 40,
who absolutely sound amazing on these sessions.
Several songs on both recordings have Pototo & Filomeno
backed by a conjunto and those also are very nice.

"Ensalada Rebelde"
Pototo y Filomeno
With Orq.Melodias Del 40 y Conjunto
((****))

Free speech?

Video: Cuba - Pancho Amat y su Cabildo

Books: "The Amazing Adventures of Anacaona"

"Queens of Havana: The Amazing Adventures of Anacaona,

Cuba's Legendary All-Girl Dance Band"

I had been wanting to read this book for the last four years.
I finally bought it last week on Amazon.com, a brand "new
hardcover copy" for $1.10 with $3.99 shipping.. total $5.09!!
(retail price: $24.00)

Fabulous book!
A great accounting by Alicia Castro
of the Castro Sisters band: Anacaona.
From the 1920's through the 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's and beyond.
With great insight into Chinese Cuban musicians in Havana.
And El Barrio Chino en La Habana.
393 pages....with MANY excellent photos!
An absolute bargain at $1.10!

The book includes a CD with the
band as a Septeto playing 5 songs:

1. Despues Que Sufras
2. Amor Inviolado
3. Besame Aqui
4. Oh! Marambe Maramba
5. Maleficio
6. Algo Bueno

Septeto Anacaona

The beautiful Argimira "Millo" Castro
La bongosera

Millo 1940's

"Oh! Marambé Maramba" - 1937
Graciela: vocal & clave
Argimira "Millo" Castro: bongó solo

"Algo Bueno" - 1937
Graciela: vocal & clave
Argimira "Millo" Castro: bongó solo


Con Graciela clave y voz.

Mexicans Rise Up.

Following Arab World's Lead, Mexicans Rise Up.

"En Nosotros" Generoso Jimenez, Peruchin, El Negro Vivar - Cuba

"En Nosotros - Instrumental"
Vinyl LP on EGREM/Areito
1964-'66

Musicians include:
Generoso "Tojo" Jimenez: trombone & Arr.
Pedro "Peruchin" Justiz: piano.
Rafael Somavilla: piano, arr. & comp.
Adolfo Guzmán: piano, arr. & comp.
Rolando Baró: piano, arr. & comp.
Alejando "El Negro" Vivar: trumpet.
Emilio Peñalver: tenor saxofone.
Osvaldo Peñalver : alto/sop. saxofone.

Great tuba on both tracks:

2. El Manisero

6. Domitila Donde Vas

LP cover: Pérez Prado -"Dengues" 1964

"Dengues"

Dámaso Pérez Prado
Recorded in Lima. Peru in 1964,
a series of Dengue singles were
later released here, 12 on this LP.

I like the cover showing a red painted
car brake drum, which gives the Ritmo Dengue
it's distinctive sound, Prado is credited as
the originator of the Dengue rhythm.

Conj. Roberto Faz "Dengue En Faz" 1964 - Cuba

"Dengue En Faz"
Conjunto Roberto Faz
Vinyl EP with 4 tracks con ritmo Dengue.

1964 on EGREM

1. Dengue en Faz

2. Dengue para ti

3. El Dengue y su tiqui tiqui

4. Tiqui tiqui Dengue para ti