congaplace.com

I was just listening to Music and started to think about the Congeros who have influenced through out the years. My first was Mongo Santamaria, then of course Tata Guines. But while growing up in Brooklyn and NYC I listened, danced and witnessed live music at the big dances, The Cheetah, the Corso and of course the legendary Rumbas in Central Park by the fountain. The guy who I heard the most and subconsciously influenced my playing the most was Milton Cardona. His tumbao is impeccable, his solos always tasteful and appropriate his Bata and folkloric drumming amazing. Most of us know him as Willie Colons Congero but he has drummed with everyone to include Grupo Folklorico y Experimental Nuevayorquino just to mention one ground breaking recording. I just wanted to publicly thank him for his contributions and thought maybe some of you have someone like this in your realm of influence. Saludos de Rey (Dondi) Arroyo Jr.

I've always watched Milton's hands and they seemed familiar in their motion & sound. A conguero's conguero
we can all relate to. I agree his technique is impeccable.
For me however the person I love the most for strong consistent tumbaos has to be
Eddie Montalvo., not that we should compare the two.
New York has so many good players.

I'm now living up in Canada, sitting in with different groups so far, but already
miss the New York scene. I'll definitely be back for more.

~ Isaac