by Omelenko » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:32 pm
I have done all 3, but I must say I feel more confortable in an orchestral setting playing conga or bongo' in a latin jazz or salsa format. I used to play with an African group out of Ft Lauderdale, ASANTE, and there I was free to play what I wanted , chequere, bata, conga, timbales,chimes,.......
I'm Cuban born, so I've played rumba / guaguanco, mostly salidor or 3 golpes. Quinto on a rumba setting is a different animal, reserved for only a very few well versed individuals. Great quinto players that come to mind: Daniel Ponce, Jesus Alfonso (Muñequitos), Papin,Puntilla,Tata,Mongo,Niño Alfonso,Pancho Quinto, Giovanni,Anga. To play quinto in a deep rumba setting you have to be well versed in secular music and you must posess a big arsenal of "toques". Like the saying goes, "si no sabes,no te metas,al quinto se respeta". If you are not proficient, don't go there. I know that in Matanzas,if you mess up a well orginized rumba you can pay with your life.
No Me Pares Esa Rumba !
Dario