Mario "Chavalonga" Dreke R.I.P. - Another great rumbero passes on

[pavloconga]

Hello all,
Reports have been filtering through (now confirmed by Congaplace member guarachon63) that the great Cuban rumbero Mario "Chavalonga" Dreke, "El Rey de la Tahona" has passed away. 25 April 1925 - 2 June 2007.

I was lucky enough to be introduced to Chavalonga in Havana 2003. He was kind enough and gracious enough to invite me to his humble home and to allow me to study there over a period of several months with the conguero Sandalio 'Macho' Crespo Calderon (as a child Macho was one of Chava's first protegés) and also with him. I am sure Macho inherited much of his vast knowledge from Chava.

If Chava was around when we were playing, sometimes he would pick up the claves and sing, while I held one of the parts for say, guaguanco or columbia. At other times people like the great singer Fariña would drop by to visit Chava and an impromptu rumba would often happen with the unique voices of Fariña and Chava. (Fortunately, yes - I did realise how lucky I was.) I made quite a few sound recordings in his home, including some with Chava and Fariña singing.

Chava was a very humble and poor man. If you could see the conditions that he was living in you may find it hard to believe. Yet he always maintained his dignity and often dressed very sharp. Also, it was very clear that in his neighbourhood of Ataré he was held in extremely high regard and treated with utmost respect.

I am sure the events of Chava's life would fill many books and I have but scant snippets about him, here's one:

"One could think that I spent my life partying, but it isn't so: Injustices affected me, that's why I went to Cayo Confite to topple the dictator Trujillo. I was captain of a ship which carried arms: they caught me in Puerto Príncipe. On this trip I have a very bad experience: the death in a fight of Jesús Alfaro, "Mejoral." The emotion inspired me to compose, "Cuando se pierde un amigo..."

Chava was also good friends and a contemporary of Chano Pozo and was one of the founding members of one of Havana's oldest Comparsa groups - "Los Marquesas de Ataré" established in 1937. http://afrocubaweb.com/gloriarolando/Atares.htm
By sheer luck, I just happened to be in Havana in 2003 during celebrations for the 200th Havana Carnaval. After seeing them play the first night of Carnaval, they said to me, "Tomorrow you are playing with us too". What an honour and a privilege! An unforgettable experience and great memories.

I think it's pretty safe to say, Chavalonga's life in one way or another was always surrounded by music, singing and dance. He was even in some Mexican films in the late 30's early 40's (thanks to guarachon63 for that info). I remember one day he showed me many photos and newspaper cuttings of his earlier days, travelling to Europe and many other places in the world and performing.

But even into his final years he was still very active as a singer. Not long after I left Cuba he put out what was probably his last CD: "El Rey de la Tahona", En el Barrio de Ataré"

Also, shortly before I left Cuba, Chava gave me a photocopied article about him that appeared in a South American magazine (en Español). My Spanish is not great but I get the gist of much of it. I'm sure the fluent Spanish speakers on the board will find it very interesting (maybe someone would translate?) It has a lot of interesting information about him and I will post it in this thread.

It is sad news, but may his music and legacy live on. Mario Chavalonga Dreke may you Rest in Peace...

Some videos mostly shot around his neighbourhood of Ataré:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZB_t_-eNUA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_tbklRBdKE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v....search=

best regards
Pavlo

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... onga_s.jpg

[pavloconga]

A pic I took of Chavalonga and friends in Ataré, just a few steps from his home in 2003.



Edited By pavloconga on 1185698169

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... mbeau2.jpg

[pavloconga]

The magazine article that Chavalonga gave me. (The original was not great to start with, it looks like it's been copied many times.)

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... nga_x2.jpg

[pavloconga]

En la casa de la Chavalonga.

R.I.P. Chava...



Edited By pavloconga on 1185698068

Attachment: http://mycongaplace.com/forum/eng/uploa ... a_casa.jpg

[ABAKUA]

Another legendary figure passes.

He will be remembered in our hearts and in our hands on the drum.

Another vid here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmAIbsTIKCY

[congamyk]

And another you tube.... RIP "Chavalonga"

Palo Quimbombo

[Changuiri]

THKS FOR THE INFO, PAVLOCONGA.
MAY HE REST IN PEACE.



Edited By Changuiri on 1186347581