Cambridge, UK - Teachers, drummers?

[korman]

I'd like to know if anyone teaches latin percussion in Cambridge UK, and also would gladly meet other drummers there.

About myself: I'm from Latvia, but in a month I'll be moving to Cambridge with my wife who'll be studying at the university.
I'm not a professional, drums are my hobby, but I play djembe and have done some gigs with percussion group AfroAmbient.

I'm learning the bongo, also I've had couple of introductory lessons on congas and hope to start studying conga more seriously.

[martingoodson1]

Hi Korman
I used to teach in congas in cambridge but I have moved away. I dont think there are any good teachers of congas there now. Although there various people who advertise as conga teachers without being very knowledgeable. There is a samba band there called arcoiris though which is very welcoming.

There used to be an excellend djembe teacher (and player) called hans but I think he has moved not too far away to norwich. Also you could try an track down Makhou N’Diaye who is also very good.

I am quite familiar with the percussionsists scene in cambridge. let me know if i can help more.

best of luck
martin
ps there are various good teachers in london

[congastu]

hi korman

get in touch with rav at www.ovm.co.uk, hes based about half an hour away from cambridge and is one of the uks leading folkloric specialists.

He is a good friend of dudu tucci and has brought him over numerous times to teach. Hes also played with the likes of Dave Pattman and is a former MD for Inner Sense..hes a nice guy, too.. very gentle manner

hope this helps

stu

[congastu]

sorry, make that www.ovm.co.uk

[korman]

Martin, Stu, thank you for your responses! Yes, I've thought about going to London for lessons too, and I'll search for teachers there, if I don't find something good in or near Cambridge.

Nice to hear that several options are available. I like west-african music and samba, in fact, I've even had some instruction on instruments like surdo, chocalho,ganza, agogo and tamborim.
However, I'd like to concentrate on cuban stuff which I like most. I'd like to begin studying conga more seriously as it has broader stylistic application than bongo, and I feel that knowing conga parts better would enhance my bongo playing as well. If I can begin it, though, depends on whether I can find a space to practice regularly without disturbing anyone. It's not so easy as with bongos which are small, portable, and at home can be muffled easily with a t-shirt or towel inside.

So, Martin, what is the percussion scene in Cambridge like? Teacher is one thing, but it's also important to meet other people in the same skill level to play with, talk to etc.



Edited By korman on 1189579670

[Congadelica]

korman I think you need to speak to Rav , he is an exellent teacher from what Ive been told and he specialises in Afro Cuban folkloric . He did a gig at a club in Manchester with student from his workshop . The evening was at the copacabana unfortunatly I had to work last Thursday but friends of mine who have done his workshps went along to the Rumba night at the said club ,They said it was pretty good .

Marco

[niallgregory]

Raz would good to talk too in that area .He does lots of residential workshops , and is a good teacher .Bata is his main thing .