congaplace.com

Posted: **Tue Aug 01, 2006 2:42 am**

Folks,

It is with the saddest sentiment that I announce to my fellow percussionists that noted Puerto Rican conguero/percussionist, Freddy Moreno, has passed away. He died this morning of a heart attack in his music store on Main st. Springfield, MA. I got the call from a bass player who held him in his arms as he passed.

Freddy Moreno was a noted percussionist in Puerto Rico's salsa and rumba bands, including participating with Batacumbele in its inception (sickness prevented him from being part of the ensemble's roster, but he was slated to perform in the recording). A close friend of Giovanni Hidalgo, he was regarded as an "elder" of Puerto Rico's congueros, being a disciple of Patato Valdez and a good friend to Cachete Maldonado as well.

Some info online on Freddie -

The Latin Heartbeat Orchestra

The world of percussion has lost a great today. I will post religious service information as soon as I get it, for those that are near Springfield, MA. Take care all. Freddy Moreno, R.I.P.

Pictures with Freddy Moreno.

With Giovanni Hidalgo and my mentor, Freddy Moreno.

Relaxing after a gig of my joint, latin-jazz/salsa group (with my brother, Ahmed), the Gonzalez Bros.

Jamming away in his store with Giovanni. Sad to know he died in that same room that is pictured there.

Edited By Firebrand on 1154400612

Posted: **Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:39 am**

May he rest in peace.

Posted: **Tue Aug 01, 2006 7:12 pm**

Que en paz descance ? I don't think so, Tito, Celia, and Barreto will put him to work. Rumba papa.

Posted: **Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:21 pm**

There is a private "rumba" going on for close friends of Freddy Moreno. If you're one and want to know time and location, you can email me at [email=agueybana79@yahoo.com.]agueybana79@yahoo.com.[/email] But, it's an intimate setting for close friends.

For the public, I've been told that a tribute-fundraiser (for his widow and funeral costs) salsa/latin-jazz performance is being cooked up for this Friday. The performers will include most of Freddy's closest friends, and are the best Latin musicians from here in the Western Valley of MA to Hartford CT, including Art "Junior" Clinton on bass, Victor "Papo" Sterling on congas, Hiram Rivera on Timbales, and others. My brother Ahmed will most likely be playing flute, and I may join in on drumset. For more information, you may call here.

The open/public Latin event starts at 7:00 PM, at Club Casablanca at 1389 Liberty St., Springfield, MA, and will feature the following dance Orchestras:

Komboloco

Latin Heartbeat Orchestra

Alfonso Lopez and La Perfecta

Nabori

Jose Gonzalez and Banda Criolla

Orquesta Calidad

and many other musician friends...as well as DJ music...

Tickets/admission at the door $10.00

for info please call 413-244- 1844

Edited By Firebrand on 1154531006

Posted: **Wed Aug 02, 2006 2:57 am**

it really sad to hear that ''freddy moreno'' has passed. for sure has been received with rumba by all the greats that are no longer with us. my true condolences from the heart to family and friends! franc

Posted: **Wed Aug 02, 2006 3:05 pm**

I'm going to the private, "rumba" ceremony today. Will post details later...and of course, for those that can't go to the Friday thing, if I can get video from it (I will have someone film), I will try to "youTube" it, and have it up for the enjoyment of others on this forum. My hope is to immortalize the tribute for all time by placing it on the Internet. Freddy deserves that and more.

Posted: **Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:04 am**

Ok, rumberos...prepare for some good footage...

In memory of Freddy Moreno, his best friends and the best percussionists of Western MA and Hartford, CT got together to deliver a kick-ass rumba!

I'm playing bass (with the white kangol), and my brother ahmed is the flute player in red-white stripe shirt. Take care hermanos.

Que Viva Freddy Moreno!

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=A1AF3DBB339CF8EF

<object width="530" height="370"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/p/A1AF3DBB339CF8EF"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/p/A1AF3DBB339CF8EF" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="530" height="370"></embed></object>

Posted: **Thu Aug 03, 2006 11:22 am**

Firebrand,

Thank you so much for putting us "on the scene" for this wonderful honor to Freddy Moreno, his family, friends and all those in the community that were touched by the rhythms of his life. Great posting job that will enrich all of our lives.

Posted: **Thu Aug 03, 2006 3:16 pm**

Gracias por eso mi pana. Looks like it was a wonderful celebration of his life.

I checked out the vids on your "myspace' site. Ive also requested you to add me.

Again, thanks for hooking up the footage.

Marcelo.

Posted: **Thu Aug 03, 2006 4:44 pm**

thanks guys. It was an honor for me to be able to render tribute to Freddy.

Marcelo, I believe I added you. See you there as well! Take care.

Posted: **Sat Aug 05, 2006 9:11 am**

Ok, rumbero friends, more footage to make those spirits jump!

I was able to get a lot of footage from the August 4th Tribute concert to Freddy Moreno. So far, I've digitized footage of two songs by Orquesta Komboloko...I will be adding extra "clips" to this tribute concert's playlist in the next days or so, so check back on this playlist.

But, enjoy the first uploads

I'm playing drums and my brother Ahmed is playing flute right next to me.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=CF6C03724152344C

Edited By Firebrand on 1154773532

Posted: **Sun Aug 06, 2006 5:03 am**

THANK YOU FAMILY, I NEVER KNEW OF FREDDY MORENO AND IT'S A SHAME BECAUSE I LIVED IN SPRINFIELD MASS YEARS AGO, ONE OF MY SONS WAS BORN THERE. BUT THAN AGAIN I WASN'T THINKING ABOUT LA RUMBA BACK THEN. MAY HE REST IN PEACE.

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Freddy Moreno (conguero, Springfield, MA) dies...