Posted:
Mon May 14, 2007 9:15 amby pavloconga
Hi,
The best conga teachers that I know of in Melbourne are - Ray Periera, Alex Pertout, Javier Fredes. I'm sure there are others, go to one of the bigger salsa gigs and see if you can talk to the conga player. I have heard there is a very good new player from Cuba in Melbourne but I dont know his name, but he plays in salsa bands.
Google their names, I know that Alex and Ray P have websites through which you can contact them.
cheers
Pavlo
If you're ever in Adelaide, S Aust. PM me we can organise a lesson.
P.S. If you hook up with Ray, say 'Hi' to him from me. He was my teacher for about 5 years and really knows his stuff.
Posted:
Mon May 14, 2007 9:58 pmby ABAKUA
Welcome to the forums. 
Im not sure if Javier Fredes still offers to teach, due to personal and religious beliefs...
You can always find out though. Javier is a very very good player and teacher from my understanding. He would study 6 months at a time with Changuito in Cuba, then return and head back 6 months later etc...
There is also another Javier, known as 'Harvey' formerly from the band RUMBEROS. There are several good players in the latin scene over there, as Pavlo said, just head to some of the latin gigs and check out the percussionists, if you see something you like ask them for lessons, if not see if they can refer you to a good teacher.
My old friend Pipo is in Melbourne, maybe you could look him up, he knows all the percussionists in Melb and could point you in the right direction.
If you are ever in Sydney feel free to look me up also.
My myspace page is in my signature.
Good luck!
Marcelo.
PS The Cuban percussionist Pavlo speaks of is PANGA (as seen in the DVD Pi-Mozambi-Son) former conguero for Paulito FG and Manolito amongst others. He is also a well versed teacher.
Edited By ABAKUA on 1179180045
Posted:
Wed May 16, 2007 1:03 amby pavloconga
By the way, another melb based percussionist you could look up is Allejandro Vega (you can see him on 'Dancing with the Stars' band on channel 7). Don't have his latest contact details but he was teaching from his home in St Kilda a few a years back.
Pavlo
