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Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2007 3:42 pm**

Francisco Aguabella gig: Still laying it down

Caught the 2nd set at Yoshi's in Oakland, California the other night - just amazing. Latin jazz as opposed to the folkloric gig I saw him do a couple of years ago at La Pena in Berkeley. The guy must be close to 80 years old, right? Second set went 1:45, and that's after a long first set. At that age? To play like THAT? At any age? Are you kidding me??? The dude just lays it down something serious - and hard. Such beautiful definition between strokes. Such power. Such control and mastery of polyrhythms in his solos.

Wow.

I think he's just about the last of the great masters who came over to the States in the 40's and 50's (Chano, Mongo, Patato, Candido, Francisco, Armando) who is still playing (or at least playing near full strength). Very old school style-wise, of course, with a minimum of double-stroke roles and Giovanni-esque flash. But let me tell you, it was beautiful, and very, very deep.

http://www.franciscoaguabella.com/

Edited By taikonoatama on 1174664644

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:01 pm**

I have never seen him live but I do own some of his music, that is one awesome cat :;):
He is a regular at Steamers in Fullerton; I hope to see him sometime in the near future.
By the way, does anyone out there in drum land know what type of drums he plays? ???

Posted: **Fri Mar 23, 2007 4:55 pm**

Fransisco is now Endorsed by Pearl....."JC" Johnny Conga...

Posted: **Sun Mar 25, 2007 10:17 pm**

Johnny Conga, I noticed your site on "myspace" (awsome), I also noted your congas, are you also sponsored by Pearl?, by the way, I have seen some recent pictures of Francisco Aguabella and have notice him playing what appears to be "Skin on Skin" or "JCR" congas, would you know anything bout that?
Where are you located, are you ever in the Los Angeles are? I would love to see you play.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2007 12:34 am**

Francisco plays 3 oak Skin on Skin congas that Jay made for him about 10 yrs. ago. He is endorsed by Pearl and plays Pearl Iya, but his congas are Jay's.

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2007 1:11 am**

Yes Fransisco is now Endorsed by Pearl and plays his designed "Folkloric" model....I am also Endorsed by Pearl for over 10 years...Iused to live in L.A. from 1976 to 86 then moved to Miami, I am now based in Seattle,WA... BTW guys next month is the largest WORLD RHYTHM FESTIVAL from April 13th to the 15th...and its all FREE, classes, performances and lectures.....C U THERE!...."JC" Johnny Conga....ps KING CONGA Gracias!....

Posted: **Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:41 am**

Yep. Francisco since last year is a Pearl endorser and he is playing the congas he helped designed, Pearl Elite Folcloric Congas.

I've met Francisco a couple of times at NAMM convention and he is a great individual and what a presence when he plays is awesome. (By the way, I am also a Pearl endorser).

Saludos!

Posted: **Mon Apr 02, 2007 6:14 pm**

Taiko,
Thanks for sharing your feedback on Aguabella's performance. Although I have several of his cds and just recently acquired his filmed documentary on DVD, Sworn To The Drums, I've never seen him perform live.

However, that will change as he is performing here in NYC on April 24th at the Blue Note. Matter of fact, the Blue Note is having a "Conguero Week" this month, Aguabella on the 24th, Candido and friends celebrating his b-day on the 25th, and Poncho Sanchez performing from the 26th through the 29th!

I can't wait to see Aguabella perform! And yes, I find that at his age, what he continues to do is, well, mind boggling! Baya!

afrocubarico

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Francisco Aguabella gig - Still laying it down