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Posted: **Tue Dec 04, 2007 2:41 pm**

Does anyone know of any recordings of people soloing with a djembe in traditional guaguanco? Just wondering. I know it's been done for a long time. Please let me know if there are any videos or recordings out there.

Posted: **Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:11 pm**

There is a rhythm MACRU, or MACURU, and one of the versions is where bass drums (kenkeni+sangban+dundun) play phrase, which is similar to conga+tumba guaguanco phrase. But it can be in different place in time. I'm not sure if I remember it correctly, but I think you can find it in some of Famoudou Konate's CDs and bass drums plays this (I'm not 100% sure if I remember where this phrase begins correctly):
4/4 S--S--D-K-K-K-D-

I'll check if I can find album where it is, so you could find what djembe makes on top of this melody.

I think BOBR (member of this forrum) can help with this as well, if he will see the question. I believe he know that version of Macru.

I'm not

Posted: **Tue Dec 04, 2007 3:19 pm**

I'm familiar with Makuru... I'm specifically curious about someone using a djembe in place of a quinto in a traditional Afro-Cuban setting though. But thanks for the response.

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:04 am**

Hi Garvin,
I haven't heard of any noteworthy musicians attempting such a project (which doesn't mean it hasn't happened). But, I can imagine a top Cuban group like Clave y Guaguanco and a djembe master like Mamady Keita collaborating on such a project. It would be very interesting.

On one of my visits to Ghana, West Africa, I had quite a few lessons with one of that country's top young players, Nii Tackie Abia. Out of interest one day, I played the tonal pattern of guaguanco on two drums with the rumba clave in the left hand, while he improvised over the top.

It didn't sound like a typical guaguanco solo but he certainly placed his notes and solos in interesting places in relation to the melody and the clave. I still have the audio recording. (btw don't worry, I would never make the claim to be the first to attempt such a thing - it's a moot point.)

regards
Pavlo

Edited By pavloconga on 1196917695

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 5:30 am**

I was cruising through some of the members on that mycongaspace thing on the home page and a guy there had exactly what yuo were looking for, a recording of guanguanco with djembe and conga, I can't remember which one it was though...sorry..

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 7:02 am**

I have a cassette tape recording somewhere in my collection of a rumba guaguanco with Djembe acting as quinto dated from early 1950's, it was taped from an old record a former teacher of mine had.
For the life of me I cant remember who the arists were or name of record.
It has been getting done for a very long time you are right.
Recordings however, cant think of any off the top of my head.

Posted: **Thu Dec 06, 2007 1:50 pm**

pavloconga, that's awesome. I used to go to these Rumbas when I first got into Afro-Cuban music and at the time there was a shredding djembe player from Guinea who used to come and riff out on quinto. I never heard him use a djembe though.

Posted: **Sun Dec 09, 2007 11:19 am**

Cool, must have been great to hear his approach to such a musical setting.

Posted: **Fri Dec 14, 2007 9:44 pm**

Just for the record as I said in,(Zaragemca's Biography), article.. I'm the first professional rumbero in incorporating the Djembe in the GUAGUANCO/SETTING..and the first one ,(without my knowledge first),to incorporated into the Ethiopian Music.Dr. Zaragemca

Posted: **Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:54 pm**

Hi Dr Z,
Which guaguanco/rumba group did you play with in this setting? When and where did you first play this? Do you have some recordings?
ciao
pavlo

Edited By pavloconga on 1197676935

Posted: **Sat Dec 15, 2007 3:16 am**

Dude, you gotta be kidding me.... Can you please stop making these kind of statements? At least look at my question and see that I am asking for recordings. Do you have a recording?

Edited By Garvin on 1197822531

Posted: **Sun Dec 16, 2007 10:56 am**

zaragenca wrote:Just for the record as I said in,(Zaragemca's Biography), article.. I'm the first professional rumbero in incorporating the Djembe in the GUAGUANCO/SETTING..and the first one ,(without my knowledge first),to incorporated into the Ethiopian Music.Dr. Zaragemca

??? ???

Im guessing you missed my post. Please, you have got to be kidding right?

I have a cassette tape recording somewhere in my collection of a rumba guaguanco with Djembe acting as quinto dated from early 1950's, it was taped from an old record a former teacher of mine had.

Oh wait, let me guess... It must be you on the recording.

Posted: **Wed Dec 19, 2007 8:50 pm**

Garvin,I don't have to stop making any statement ok, I have been in this for 47 years and Im coming from Cuba,not China,or Australia,so when I said something it is becouse I already did my research,I did work in this subject since I was in Cuba,(with full knowledge),of the Arara/approach and here in Houston I did a recording under International Club of Percussionists and play around with my Drumming Ensemble in Clubs,Universities,Corporate Events,Festivals and Private Party...Every time we play Guaguanco I was playing it with the Djembe and also I used the Djembe for the Samba/solos,(something that I still do with the Band I'm playing right now,Huerocongero have seen it many times in my clinics and all, absolutely all my students have seen that.Dr. Zaragemca

Posted: **Thu Dec 20, 2007 3:22 am**

Ahhhh, whatever.... You're not even from Cuba... Probably couldn't even find it on a map.

Devils advocate... dr. g

Posted: **Thu Dec 20, 2007 6:58 am**

zaragenca wrote:Garvin,I don't have to stop making any statement ok, I have been in this for 47 years and Im coming from Cuba,not China,or Australia,so when I said something it is becouse I already did my research,I did work in this subject since I was in Cuba,(with full knowledge),of the Arara/approach and here in Houston I did a recording under International Club of Percussionists and play around with my Drumming Ensemble in Clubs,Universities,Corporate Events,Festivals and Private Party...Every time we play Guaguanco I was playing it with the Djembe and also I used the Djembe for the Samba/solos,(something that I still do with the Band I'm playing right now,Huerocongero have seen it many times in my clinics and all, absolutely all my students have seen that.Dr. Zaragemca

This is exactly what I mean by your over inflated ego.

When are you going to understand that using the reason "because you are Cuban" dont mean s h i t.

I was going to post something a further response but you know what? There is just no point with you.

Personally Id love to just rid the forum of you.

Below image = you.

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Djembe and guaguanco - Recordings?