Sandy Perez of AfroCuba de Matanzas Every Sat in Berkeley CA

[tocandorumba]

Sandy Perez is the man! His chops are unique and fresh. You can't find a better deal than $15! Cuba is closer than you think!

Starting May, 3 2008 at La Pena Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, California 94705
Saturdays 1:15-2:45pm
Cost : $15

Develop your clave! Master percussionist Sandy Perez will be teaching
Afro Cuban rhythms including rumbas guaguanco and columbia, palo,
iyesa, guiro and comparsa. If students are interested and ready we
will also expand into the Bata drums. Learn percussion breaks and
variations, refine your hand technique and expand your understanding
of the clave!

Every Saturday, Sandy Perez will be teaching Afro-cuban percussion classes. Sandy will teach intricate drumming technique for playing Batas, congas, shekeres, and other percussion instruments. He will focus on teaching both sacred and secular rhythms including: Yoruba, Congo, Arara, Iyesa, Carabali, Bembe’, Comparsa, Guido, Son, Bolero, Cha Cha Cha, Timba, Rumba: Guaguanco, Yambu’ and Columbia.

Ramon "Sandy" Perez, a master Batalero/Conguero, and principal/lead
percussionist for 12 years with Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas, is widely
known for his expertise as a percussionist and instructor. Sandy
Perez, who is a direct descendant from the legendary Villamil family,
brings an encyclopedia of knowledge and continues the legacy of
Afro-Cuban folklore from the cradle of African Culture in Cuba:
Matanzas. Sandy joined Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas at age 17, and
within a few years he earned the position of principal drummer and
soloist; a privilege he maintained until his move to the US. Grupo
AfroCuba is a legendary folkloric group from Matanzas, Cuba. They are
known as the originators of "Bata Rumba," and famed for their mastery
of the full spectrum of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and dance. Sandy
was a featured artist at the 1996 Havana Jazz Festival and was invited
to perform at the 1996 Afrocubanismo! festival in Banff, Canada.
Although the roots of his techniques are founded in Afro-Cuban
folkloric styles, his open-minded approach has enabled him to adapt to
styles ranging from Cuban popular (Salsa) to Latin fusion and
avant-garde jazz.

[bongosnotbombs]

I'm definitely going to be attending, Sandy is an incredible
player, $15 is peanuts.