Name The Bongocero, Suenalo!

[Omelenko1]

Markito (FidelsEyeglasses) posted this photo of a late 1940's Cuban bongocero. I thought I knew most bongoceros of the era, but this one skips me. He looks like a young Chino Pozo,but is not Chino, he's a light skin mulatto, but is not Yeyito, he's not Lazaro Pla (Manteca) either. Could he have been Ramoncito Castro? I haven't seen photos of Ramoncito.
Is not Mongo, Armando, Candido or Chicho, as they were/are very dark skin. Is not Marcelo "El Blanco", "Chicuelo" or "Rolito", as they were/are white Cubans. Is either Ramoncito Castro,whom I've heard but never seen a photo, or some unknown hero. He's got a killer 40's silk tie, which I collect as well.
If anyone recognizes the individual please let us know. How about it Markito, who was he?

Saludos,

Dario

[FidelsEyeglasses]

Markito (FidelsEyeglasses) posted this photo of a late 1940's Cuban bongocero. I thought I knew most bongoceros of the era, but this one skips me. He looks like a young Chino Pozo,but is not Chino, he's a light skin mulatto, but is not Yeyito, he's not Lazaro Pla (Manteca) either. Could he have been Ramoncito Castro? I haven't seen photos of Ramoncito.
Is not Mongo, Armando, Candido or Chicho, as they were/are very dark skin. Is not Marcelo "El Blanco", "Chicuelo" or "Rolito", as they were/are white Cubans. Is either Ramoncito Castro,whom I've heard but never seen a photo, or some unknown hero. He's got a killer 40's silk tie, which I collect as well.
If anyone recognizes the individual please let us know. How about it Markito, who was he?

Saludos,

Dario

Bongocero Cubano.jpg

I'd like to know myself, I don't know who he is.
I love the photo, I scanned it from a book I've owned for years written by 'Earl Leaf' (he was married to Katherine Dunham).
The book was published in 1948, so the photo is probably '47-'48.
I love the facial expression on him... man you can see he was "in the zone".
He also appears to have very long finger nails!
Si, that tie is very '40's. I dig that suit with "high waisted" pants.
And check out the hand made "cover" across his pants, to keep from messing them up from dirt/oil etc.

It's not "Rolito" Soto, because I have photos of him both as a young man and as an older man:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_DSoGzKEt12Y/SwQs3Hj-nXI/AAAAAAAAGGQ/JI6dslfmlYY/s1600/Rolito+Soto.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DSoGzKEt12Y/SwSpSzg96rI/AAAAAAAAGGo/maMhD-RnH1I/s1600/rolito.jpg

I've always wondered if a photo of Candido Requeña exits?? ... I know he played in Alberto Ruiz's Conjunto Kubavana
(before Armando Peraza), but I can't find any photos.
Also, Dario (or anybody) do you know of any recordings that I can hear Candido Requeña playing??
I have a lot of "pre 1959" Cuban music, but many recordings never listed the musicians other than the band leaders name.
I'm friendly with Matt Dillon who lives near me, he's a serious collector of "pre '59" Cuban music and I must say, he owns one the most impressive collections of anyone in the U.S. (especially 78 rpm records)
I'll ask him to check his collection for the earliest recordings by Conjunto Kubavana he has, maybe he has something with Candido Requeña playing.

Dario, I'd rather look your photos of Bongoes... then any Playboy centerfold!!

Con amistad siempre,
Markito

[reydeltimbale]

That bongo player his name DANIEL VAZQUEZ VERDEJO [MANININ)he died recently he was the first bongos player for el Gran Combo de Puerto Rico before Roberto Rohena. In photo you also have Gabrel '' Baby Serrano also another bongo player for Gran Combo and Mr Eddy Perez sax player and co owner of Gran Combo to far right. This photo was taken in tribute in his honor a few years back at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico. Not all great bongos players are Cuban.

[FidelsEyeglasses]

That bongo play his name DANIEL VAZQUEZ VERDEJO [MANININ)he died recently he was the first bongos player for el Gran Combo de Puerto Rico before Roberto Rohena. In photo you also have Gabrel '' Baby Serrano also another bongo player for Gran Combo and Mr Eddy Perez sax player and co owner of Gran Combo to far right. This photo was taken in tribute in his honor a few years back at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico. Not all great bongos players are Cuban.

Señor 'Reydeltimbale', your information is quite interesting, I would very much like to see one or more photos of "DANIEL VAZQUEZ VERDEJO [MANININ)", can you please post any you have of him in this forum so I may see him?
Thank you.
I'm sure you know E.G.C. was formed in 1962, for their first gig, the orchestra was signed by the legendary Cuban comedian, writer and businessman 'Alvarez Guedes', who hired them to back Dominican singer 'Joseito Mateo' on one of his albums for 'Alvarez Guedes' record company 'Gema' Records.
As to "Mr Eddy Perez sax player and co owner of Gran Combo to far right.", the Man standing far right in the 1948 photo does not (to me) resemble Edy Peréz at all. Neither does that look like "Baby" Serrano who played bongoes (1969–1984) with E.G.C.

Could the bongocero in these photos be a Puerto Rican who lived and played gigs in Cuba in the late 1940's... then moved back to P.R.? Anything is possible... however I do not believe that to be the case.

The photo of the Cuban bongocero was taken in Havana, Cuba in 1948 by 'Earl Leaf' who was a photographer and the husband of legendary dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Dunham

Here is a second photo of the Cuban bongocero, he is seated at the top of the stairs on stage right.
Photo/s taken in La Habana, Cuba, by 'Earl Leaf' and both appear in his 1948 book 'Isles of rhythm'.

[reydeltimbale]

That bongo play his name DANIEL VAZQUEZ VERDEJO [MANININ)he died recently he was the first bongos player for el Gran Combo de Puerto Rico before Roberto Rohena. In photo you also have Gabrel '' Baby Serrano also another bongo player for Gran Combo and Mr Eddy Perez sax player and co owner of Gran Combo to far right. This photo was taken in tribute in his honor a few years back at Coliseo Roberto Clemente in Puerto Rico. Not all great bongos players are Cuban.

Señor 'Reydeltimbale', your information is quite interesting, I would very much like to see one or more photos of "DANIEL VAZQUEZ VERDEJO [MANININ)", can you please post any you have of him in this forum so I may see him?
Thank you.
I'm sure you know E.G.C. was formed in 1962, for their first gig, the orchestra was signed by the legendary Cuban comedian, writer and businessman 'Alvarez Guedes', who hired them to back Dominican singer 'Joseito Mateo' on one of his albums for 'Alvarez Guedes' record company 'Gema' Records.
As to "Mr Eddy Perez sax player and co owner of Gran Combo to far right.", the Man standing far right in the 1948 photo does not (to me) resemble Edy Peréz at all. Neither does that look like "Baby" Serrano who played bongoes (1969–1984) with E.G.C.

Could the bongocero in these photos be a Puerto Rican who lived and played gigs in Cuba in the late 1940's... then moved back to P.R.? Anything is possible... however I do not believe that to be the case.

The photo of the Cuban bongocero was taken in Havana, Cuba in 1948 by 'Earl Leaf' who was a photographer and the husband of legendary dancer and choreographer Katherine Dunham.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Dunham

Here is a second photo of the Cuban bongocero, he is seated at the top of the stairs on stage right.
Photo/s taken in La Habana, Cuba, by 'Earl Leaf' and both appear in his 1948 book 'Isles of rhythm'.

You are correct you can see him on album meneame los mango he is the 5th guy next to Rafael Ithier and that is baby serrano look at old photos the same with Eddy you may remember as he looks today but that him . This bongos player also played with el septeto la plata which was a cuban group back in 40s-50s.maybe he travel to cuba that I don't know,but I can tell that him. That photo also came out in a magazine call Latin Beat some time ago when they did tribute to him that he was very sick at that time he died a few year know. I don't have any photos of him other than the photo on meneame los mango with Joseito Mateo. Look for photos of the old albums of EGC when baby had still black hair same with Eddy he still had dark hair and you see all he was a bit heaver back then he did not have diabetes know thinner . but that them you can also see him on cortijos albums how heavy he was.If I find a photo I will send to you.I went as far to ask a historian in Puerto Rico about the photo he also confermed photo he also told me that he also played with a group call Gloria Matancera so yes he mite have live in Cuba and travel back an forth in that era.

[FidelsEyeglasses]

You are correct you can see him on album meneame los mango he is the 5th guy next to Rafael Ithier and that is baby serrano look at old photos the same with Eddy you may remember as he looks today but that him . This bongos player also played with el septeto la plata which was a cuban group back in 40s-50s.maybe he travel to cuba that I don't know,but I can tell that him. That photo also came out in a magazine call Latin Beat some time ago when they did tribute to him that he was very sick at that time he died a few year know. I don't have any photos of him other than the photo on meneame los mango with Joseito Mateo. Look for photos of the old albums of EGC when baby had still black hair same with Eddy he still had dark hair and you see all he was a bit heaver back then he did not have diabetes know thinner . but that them you can also see him on cortijos albums how heavy he was.If I find a photo I will send to you.I went as far to ask a historian in Puerto Rico about the photo he also confermed photo he also told me that he also played with a group call Gloria Matancera so yes he mite have live in Cuba and travel back an forth in that era.

Señor 'Reydeltimbale', this is very interesting info, thank you for letting me know this.
I am always interested in information about musicians from the 40's, 50's, '60's. that I'm not familiar with.
I have been looking for photos of DANIEL VAZQUEZ VERDEJO "MANININ", I found the cover photo for E.G.C.'s "Meneame Los Mango"... is that "MANININ" standing in the middle of the photo??
If it is, he looks tall, the bongocero in the 1948 photo looks like a smaller and shorter man.
Also I would think that from 1948 to 1962, there would be more of a visual age difference.
Maybe I need to find a better photo of "MANININ".
I'll do a search in Google and see if I can find that article in Latin Beat magazine you mentioned.

I found the photo of E.G.C.'s "Meneame Los Mango" and two photos 'La Gloria Matancera', but I don't see anyone in them that resembles the bongocero in the 1948 photo.
Is that "MANININ" standing in the middle of the E.G.C. picture??
In 1946, 'La Gloria Matancera' changed from a Septeto to a Conjunto, when that happened, they replaced the bongoes with timbalitos and never again had a bongocero after 1946.
So "if" 'Daniel Vazquz Verdejo' ("MANININ") played bongoes with them as the historian in Puerto Rico told you, it wasn't after 1946.

[reydeltimbale]

in gran combo photo its in this order
martin quiniones red shirt
kito velez
eddy perez
don't know
mannin
pellin rodrigez
raphael ither
I am going to get you a better photo of him but I have to wait till mr jose sanchez calls me to as if he has magazine still .In that magazine they had a few other photos of him, As soon as he sends it I will post for you.year he was with gloria matancera I dont know I will also ask him.be intouch

[FidelsEyeglasses]

in gran combo photo its in this order
martin quiniones red shirt
kito velez
eddy perez
don't know
mannin
pellin rodrigez
raphael ither
I am going to get you a better photo of him but I have to wait till mr jose sanchez calls me to as if he has magazine still .In that magazine they had a few other photos of him, As soon as he sends it I will post for you.year he was with gloria matancera I dont know I will also ask him.be intouch

Great, I would like to see those photos you mentioned.
If Sr. Sanchez knows when he played with La Gloria Matancera.. I would be interested to know.
Thank you.

I found these two web pages re: E.G.C., the second one mentions the name Daniel Vázquez (1962)
http://www.elgrancombodepuertorico.net/page8.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Gran_Combo_de_Puerto_Rico

[reydeltimbale]

yea I saw that when I was looking also I am going also to ask Raphael if he has photos of this guy I just email him let see what happens.

[guarachon63]

I am not really into bongoceros at all but this exchange has been great reading, looking forward to the next installment. Is the internet amazing, or what?

[FidelsEyeglasses]

Markito (FidelsEyeglasses) posted this photo of a late 1940's Cuban bongocero. I thought I knew most bongoceros of the era, but this one skips me. He looks like a young Chino Pozo,but is not Chino, he's a light skin mulatto, but is not Yeyito, he's not Lazaro Pla (Manteca) either. Could he have been Ramoncito Castro? I haven't seen photos of Ramoncito.
Is not Mongo, Armando, Candido or Chicho, as they were/are very dark skin. Is not Marcelo "El Blanco", "Chicuelo" or "Rolito", as they were/are white Cubans. Is either Ramoncito Castro,whom I've heard but never seen a photo, or some unknown hero. He's got a killer 40's silk tie, which I collect as well.
If anyone recognizes the individual please let us know. How about it Markito, who was he?

Saludos,

Dario

Bongocero Cubano.jpg

Dario, from a communication with Cuban musicologist 'Luis G. Dequesada', he thinks that bongosero is 'Guillermo Romero' who played with 'Luis Santi', 'Jovenes del Cayo', 'Senen Suarez'.

(Many of 'Luis G. Dequesada's' articles and CD reviews can be seen on Descarga.com as well as on Amazon.)

Paz
Markito

[Omelenko1]

Markito is a very reliable source, he and his late dad were founders of the world famous Central Park Sunday rumbas. Mark's father was an incredible craftsman when it came to exotic drums and chequeres. Markito has played with the best from NYC and is a world source of information on Cuban and Afro Caribbean culture. I thought I knew most of the bongoceros from the era, but the gentleman from the photo escapes me. I don't think he is the same bongocero of the 1962 Gran Combo. Aside from Markito, the only sources that are still with us and can put a name to the photo are Armando Peraza, Candito Camero and Graciela Perez Grillo, Macho's sister. Diego Iborra, "Mofeta", Dizzy's first tumbador could have named him, but he passed a few months ago. Walfredo De Los Reyes could also put a name to the photo.
We are fortunate that Markito has become a member of our forum because he is a living encyclopedia of Cuban music.

Felices Pascuas.

Dario.

[Zeno]

FidelsEyeglasses States:
"I love the photo, I scanned it from a book I've owned for years written by 'Earl Leaf' (he was married to Katherine Dunham).
The book was published in 1948, so the photo is probably '47-'48."

I would like to know the source of the information about the marriage of Earl Leaf and Katherine Dunham, Here is the information on Dunham available online, note the "spouses".

Born Katherine Mary Dunham
June 22, 1909
Chicago, Illinois, U.S
Died May 21, 2006 (aged 96)
New York City, New York, U.S
Influenced by Robert Redfield, Melville J. Herskovits
Spouse(s) Jordis W. McCoo
(m.1931-1938; divorced)
John Pratt
(m.1941-1986; his death)

[PowerSemantic]

"Dunham, Katherine (1910 –)"

From the Krystal Reference Encyclopedia:

"Modern dancer and choreographer, born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. She studied at the University of Chicago, and went on to earn a doctorate in anthropology. Turning to dance, she started her first school in Chicago (1931), later becoming dance director for the Works Progress Administration’s Chicago theatre project. A flamboyant performer, she is best known for her choreography in such musicals as Cabin in the Sky (1940) and motion pictures, notably Stormy Weather (1943). She studied dance forms in the Caribbean, especially Haiti where she lived for several years, and toured with her company during the 1940s–1960s. In 1967 she founded a performing arts centre for inner-city youths in East St Louis, IL. She went on a hunger strike in 1992 to protest against the American deportation of Haitian refugees."

[vinnieL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeHzW5M0bTo

Katherine dunham