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im asking this question to see the reaction of my fellow bongoceros on the forum, i know each country has their own style, but when it comes to salsa, who are the best? your opinions are welcomed....
which countries do u think have the best bongoceros?
1) Cuba
2) Puerto Rico
3) Colombia
4) Venezuela
5) Panama
6) United States (NY,MIAMI,LA)
7) Dominican Republic
.......

Here's a list I've located on the Rythym web website. Pretty impressive collection of masters of the instrument but lacking in some names specifying country of origin. http://www.rhythmweb.com/bongo/bongocer.htm

jorge, thats funny that u put up the link, i stumbled on that a few months ago, and today i thought it would be a good topic for the forum....
personally i like the bongoseros from PR & Colombia, & NY, Cuban bongoseros also very respected.....just my opinion

I have some tracks that feature some of those masters perfoming and enjoy them both as a fan and as lover of the instrument. Each has his own style of expressing what's in their soul while playing. It's a great way of learning proper techniques and patterns that are beautifully written in the arrangements and the improvisations created from their superb talents.

yayaitoconga wrote:in my opinion, the best bongoceros come from colombia, puertoro, and cuba although i don't really like cuban bongoceros because of many cuban bongoceros that i have played with have claimed to be santeros. the same goes for congueros. i have played with many cuban congueros and they have also claimed to be santeros. but some of the best are cuban, not disrespecting the cuban population....

Not sure i understand your post tbh .Can you expand on it please and clarify you reference to santeros . Thanks . Niall .

Country of origin is irrespective. Exposure & dedication is what makes you great. Then again, define greatness.

I am originally Argentine born, living in Sydney Australia since 78, recently returned from Havana Cuba, & played/toured/recorded with some of the best of the best over there, some of the biggest names in Afro Cuban rumba & Timba, and they could not believe where me & my bro were from.

I also dont get the Santero reference.

"Many Cuban bongoceros are Santeros, I don't like that".

What does that have to do with the ability or talent of playing bongos?

I believe I do understand his Santero reference. And, if he is saying what I think he is saying I don't like it one bit. I know the new rules are to be nice and show some respect but I don't think I can do that.

Abakua- what part of Argentina were u born?


i agree with psych, ive played with many cuban musicians who practice santeria , however not all cubans are santeros, one of the best cuban congueros i ever met here in LA, "Nelson Sanchez", is a devout christian, back in the 90's we were in the same church, he taught my dad how to play son montuno on congas, a great guy..but back to the santero thing many carribean percussionist are santeros & its a completely different ball game, they offer their talent & rhythms on the tambores as sacrifices to their "divine being"... i only share this because a cuban bongosero shared it with me..

I was born in Mendoza, however have family all over Sth America & the Carribean.

Hmmm, I guess each to their own re how they see their talent & instruments. I am Santero, also Omo Aña, however I see my performances with my bands as seperate to my practice of Ifa, and not as a sacrifice to my beliefs. Two very very different things. Personally I disagree with that view offered to you. However, as said, each to their own, if thats what they feel, then so be it to them.

Back on topic, countries all over the world have produced talented percussionists, bongoceros, congueros etc. However I do not feel being of a certain race makes you a more talented performer, some of the least talented percussionists I have seen have been Puerto Rican, Cuban, Colombian etc. Yet, those countries have also produced many greats also.
It all comes down to the individuals dedication, extent of study undertaken, musical influence & intonation and above all heart, regardless of race or sex.

i'd hate to disagree with u abakua, but the natural talent & skill level of the bongoceros in the carribean cant be compared to the ones here in the US or europe,etc... me for example, i cant put myself to the level of a bongosero from PR or Cali, colombia, they just have a natural talent.....
in my opinion the carribean countries produce the best talent...

Mamady Keita said to us on his workshops: Don't ever let other people convince you, that people from Africa or black skin are better djembe player than you, european, american,... just because of that physical fact. Wish, devotion, learning and playing (doing) makes every one good at it.
Practice makes master.
I personally agree that it is much easier for youngsters to learn how to play bongos if you are born in culture, where percussion instruments are part of culture and music of culture. But that is physical circumstance of an individuals society and enviroment, not his talent.
I also think that we should be talking about 'different bongo teaching styles, technique and musical differences of including bongos in musical settings', but then, we are talking about personal tastes... Some one likes rolls or polirithmical magic or ....

my 2 cents

PimpS

POST REMOVED BY THE AUTHOR

b0ng0 wrote:i'd hate to disagree with u abakua, but the natural talent & skill level of the bongoceros in the carribean cant be compared to the ones here in the US or europe,etc... me for example, i cant put myself to the level of a bongosero from PR or Cali, colombia, they just have a natural talent.....
in my opinion the carribean countries produce the best talent...

Natural talent is a bizarre concept imo ,of course people brought up in culture have an advantage, obviously being surrounded by the music day in day out as a child is a huge thing . But serious hard work , love of the music and dedication goes along way . I have played with both cuban and Brazilan musicians here in Ireland over the years who where very happy to play with me rather than there fellow countrymen , there are lots of charlatans who arrive in europe and realise there is work to be gotten as a musician . Being from countries mentioned dosent mean someone is immediately a good percussionist .

what does Countires mean?