Rumba in Kansas City Missouri

[congamyk]

I just got a new camera and decided I would share a small piece of the world from the middle of the U.S.

Here in KC we are blessed to have a teacher from Havana and many excellent musicians from Cuba, Puerto Rico and many great local musicians. I'll share a few pics and a brief music sample and after I learn more about video editing I have some very large video clips later.

Listen to a short clip here






Here are a few pics of me on congas with Yoruba Son at The Beach Club, a great local nightclub that plays salsa to a packed house.


Here I am 10 days ago at Macy's in downtown San Francisco playing with a band there.
My daughter and I were shopping and ran across these guys.
I sat in on a couple of songs, what a blast.





Edited By congamyk on 1143938176

[ABAKUA]

Thanks for sharing! Cool pics. Whats the name of the brother in your first pic?

[congamyk]

^ The meastro Agustine from Havana




Edited By congamyk on 1143960085

[OLSONGO]

That's Agustin Romero a Tataguinito, came to America as a marielito. He is an all around versed player, can sing his ass of , he was one of my instructors when I was in KC. .about 15 yrs. ago. What I hear is that the latin thing has really taken off in KC.
there were some hellasious rumbas that went down. along with the batucadas directed by Byrd Felton.
Agustin says that he wa kicked out of Cuba for singing
"Me voy pa' el norte, hoy es mi dia..Esta noche estare tomando CocaCola fria" LOL

Mike say my hellos to Agustin and all of the other bros In 'MANOS

Amor, paz y rumba
OLSONGO

[congamyk]

A few more pics from KC Rumba. I should have soundclips next week.

[Smejmoon]

What are those metal drums in left side of picture?

(Thank you very much everyone for answer! --Smejmoon in 1st of May 2006)



Edited By Smejmoon on 1146477696

[ABAKUA]

Please correct me if Im mistaken, but to me they look like upside down 'sartenes' (frying pans)
Commonly seen nailed or screwed to a bit of timber, they were used hanging around your neck or tied to your waist with rope in Carnaval settings during Comparsas.
Often replacing bells when they were unavailable to the percussionist. Ive used and seen them used in Comparsa/Conga settings and 6/8 settings.

[OLSONGO]

Abakua, you are right hermano, the brother playing los sartenes is Byrd Fleming, my first instructor from whom I learned to play rumba and other afro-cuban rhythms, also the Brasilian bateria, Djembe and African rhythms, and some martial arts, a very knowledgeable brother, we where roomates and there was always some kind of playing or listening, at times we used to go to the park and rumba and after a while the police would show up, the park was located near a ritzy areas, so they thought that the natives were getting restless. A couple of brother can also be accredited for polishing me and others, one is Nanda Trimis knowledgeable in the whole Brasililan percussion and drum set ( not in picture} and Agustin Romero the brother you see singing in the picture and of whom I spoke of before.



Edited By OLSONGO on 1146459656

[congamyk]

Some more pics from today's Rumba.
"Bird" Fleming


Pat Conway


Bird, Pablo & Agustine


Agustine

[windhorse]

Looked like great fun!
Thanks for the pics!

Dave

[ABAKUA]

Word, great pics capturing the action.
I can almost hear it, but I definately feel it. Respect.

[bongoron]

Great pics Mike. I just got hired on as a permanent employee where I work as a temp. Better pay, benefits (first I've had in 12 years)...Looking forward to financial improvement that will let me join you up there. I'm really motivated by the pics!

God bless!

-Ron

[onile]

Alafia Abures!
I hope that you are all well my brothers!

Abure Bongoron, Congratulations to you on such a gift! I'm sure that you deserve the promotion!

Abure Congamyk! you certainly have it going on out there in your neck of the woods my brother!
It's always great to see drumming brothers getting together and creating magic with the skins!

Many blessings!
Great Pics by the way!

Onile!