A secret New Orleans/Cuba connection

Afro-Cuban culture, Cuba, The Cuba-US connection

A lot of people talk about the connections between New Orleans and Cuba.

They are deep and real.

Havana actually ran New Orleans when the place was owned by the Spanish 1762 to 1803 and built big parts of the “French” Quarter.)

Anyway, the history is undeniable and so are the “look and feel” similarities of the two places (and they are even stronger in Santiago de Cuba on the islands eastern Haitian-facing side.)

But the devil is in the details.

What’s the modern MUSICAL link?

Jon Cleary shares a little known connection between Professor Longhair and Perez Prado.

“Fes” is Professor Longhair and Professor Longhair is one of a small handful of innovators who can be credited with laying down the roots of rock and roll and funk for that matter.

>>> You can click here to pay Jon Cleary direct

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
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Jane Bunnett & Maqueque All-Stars

Afro-Cuban culture, Blog, Cuba, The Cuba-US connection, Video and audio

Big news: You can catch Jane and her band in an intimate setting at the Falcon on the Hudson Valley this Sunday, September 15, 2019.

Jane Bunnett and and her husband Larry Kramer have provided the gateway to the larger world for countless young Cuban musicians.

Being from Canada helps. Unlike those of us from the “Land of the No-So-Free”, they’ve been able to travel back and forth to Cuba providing support to the musicians there uninterrupted for over 25 years.

This is Jane’s latest band that includes at least two super stars from the new generation: Daymé Arocena, vocals and Yissy García, drums and super stars to be, some of whom received their introduction to the jazz idiom from Jane: Melvis Santa, vocals & percussion; Mary Paz, congas & vocals. Danae Olana, piano: and Tailin Marrero, acoustic & electric bass.

Big news: You can catch Jane and her band in an intimate setting at the Falcon on the Hudson Valley this Sunday, September 15, 2019.

Other locations on their 2019 Northeast US tour

See them while you can. The jackasses in Washington are making it brutally difficult for Cuban musicians to tour in the US.

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.

Go to Cuba with Jazz on the Tube as your guide:
Click here for details

The kids from ENA

Blog, Cuba, Cuban Jazz, The Cuba-US connection

ENA is Cuba’s secondary school conservatory.

Thanks to the dedication of Camilo Moriera, a new generation of Cuban musicians is being introduced to jazz.

The tune arranged and conducted by Camilo is a Cuban classic “Son de la Loma.” It translates “They’re from the hills”

Makes me homesick.

We’ve featured Camilo’s work on these pages.

Camilo’s Jazz on the Tube sponsored trip to New York City
jazzonthetube.com/camilo-moreira-in-the-bronx/

Jazz on the Tube visits Camilo in Havana
jazzonthetube.com/visiting-with-camilo/

Camilo Moreira -Jazz Educator in Havana
jazzonthetube.com/camilo-moreira-jazz-educator-havana/

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.

Go to Cuba with Jazz on the Tube as your guide:
Click here for details

Joe Conzo plays records – Machito,Tito Puente, Ray Barretto

Afro-Cuban culture, Cuba, The Cuba-US connection

Few thing are more fun than listening to records with a knowledgeable person who loves the music.

Jim Eigo, veteran record man, and proprietor of Original Vinyl Records in Warwick, NY, host listening sessions with experts which he videotapes.

So even if you can’t make it to Warwick, you can sit in here via the magic of the Internet.

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.

Go to Cuba with Jazz on the Tube as your guide:
Click here for details

The making of Machito’s “Fireworks” – Harvey Averne

Afro-Cuban culture, Blog, Cuba, Latin Jazz, Puerto Rico, The Cuba-US connection, Video, Video and audio

Nominated for the 1977 Grammy Award

Music featured in this program

00:00 Macho (First Movement)
10:50 Soy Salsero
21:04 Mi Rito Llego
28:28 Despierta Boricua
36:22 Macho (Second Movement)

Liner Notes

Side A

Mi Ritmo Llego * (Guaguanco/4:55
(My Rhythm is Here)
(Ubaldo “Lalo” Rodriequez) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Ray Santos)

Desilusion * (Bolero/3:45
(I’m Disillusioned)
(Ubaldo “Lalo” Rodriequez) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Ray Santos)

Despierta Boricua ** (Son Montuno/4:15
(Wake up Puerto Rican)
(Frank “Machito” Grillo)) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Lito Pena)

Guaguanco a Mexico * (Guaguanco/4:17
(Guaguanco for Mexico)
(Ubaldo “Lalo” Rodriequez) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Elias Lopez)

No Seras Para Mi * (Bolero/3:29
(You’ll Never Be FOR Me)
(Grecia Domenech) (R.R.)
(Arr: Jorge Millet)

Side B

Macho ** (Instrumental) (Descarga)/13:00
(My Rhythm is Here)
(Jorge Millet) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Jorge Millet)

Soy Salsero ** (Son Montuno)/7:00
(I Sing Salsa)
(Frank “Machito” Grillo)) (Coco Mus./BMI)
(Arr: Jorge Millet)

PRODUCED BY HARVEY LAVERNE

Organ and Acoustical Piano Solo “Macho” / Charlie Palmieri
Piccolo Trumpet Solo “Macho” / Lew Soloff
Timbales Solo “Macho” / Nicky Marrero
Electric Piano “Macho” / Jorge Millet
Alto Sax Solo “Macho” / Bobby Porcelli
Electric Guitar “Macho” / Harry Vigiani
Bata Drums “Macho” / Julito Collazo, Angel “Cachete” Maldonado, Hector “Flaco” Hernandez
Trumpet Solo “Soy Salsero” / Victor Paz
Trombone Solo “Mi Ritmo Llego” / Barry Roger

Recording Studio / Plaza Sound
Recording Engineer / Rob Freeman
Overdub Engineer / Don Hunerberg
Mixed at / Blank Tapes
Mixed by / Harvey Averne
Mix Engineer / Bob Blank
Mastering / Jose Rodriguez
Photography and Album Design / Hal Wilson

1st Session *

Leader / Frank “Machito” Grillo
Director – Percussion / Mario Grillo
Vocals / Lalo Rodriguez
Conductor / Jorge Millet
Piano / Ray Coen
Trumpets / Paul Cohen, John Faddis, Tony Cofresi, Wyman Reed
Trombones / Barry Rogers, Leo Pineda
Alto Saxophone / Lennie Hambro
Tenor Saxophones / Mario Rivera, Jose Madera
Baritone Saxophone / Leslie Jonakins
Bass / Jose Santiago
Maracas / Ismael Quintana
Bongos / Tommy “Chuckie” Lopez
Conga / Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez
Timbales / Nicky Marrero
Coro / Machito, Adalberto Santiago, Ismael Quintana, Chivirico Davila

2nd Session **

Leader / Vocals / Frank “Machito” Grillo
Director – Percussion / Mario Grillo
Conductor / Jorge Millet
Piano / Charlie Palmieri
Trumpets / Victor Paz, Lew Soloff, Tony Cofresi, Charlie Camilleri
Trombones / Barry Rogers, Sam Burtis
Alto Saxophone / Bobby Porcelli
Tenor Saxophones / Lou Orenstein, Mauricio Smith
Baritone Saxophone / Mario Rivera
Bass / Andy Gonzalez
Maracas / Ismael Quintana
Bongos / Tommy “Chuckie” Lopez
Conga / Johnny “Dandy” Rodriguez
Timbales / Nicky Marrero
Coro / Lalo Rodriguez, Ismael Quintana, Victor Velazquez

Special thanks to Victor Paz, Jorge Millet, Mario Grillo, Doug Jones

Translation of “Macho” – First Movement

The singer is Machito.

Machito and the musicians, especially the bata drummers, are evoking the Orisha.

“ ‘Boru ‘buya,” a contraction of the Yorùbá-Cuban greeting “ìbo rú di (ì)’bo ye,” routinely bestowed upon high priests, or babalawo in Cuba. The phrase’s literal meaning is: “The sacrifice that is carried becomes the sacrifice that is suitable.” (Source: “Machito and His Afro-Cubans: Selected Transcriptions”)

“Ashe. Mucho ashe.” – Creative force. Much creative force.

“Suerte y salud para todos mis hermanos.” – Luck and health to all my brothers.

Elegua – Orisha of beginning, of crossroads, of doorways, of fate

Babalu Aye (San Lazaro) – Orisha of the healing spirit, protector of the weak and the ill

Yemaya – Orisha of the Ocean’s surface, of love, fertility and family

Shango – Orisha of thunder, drumming, dancing, fire and male virility

Oshun – Orisha of beauty and sexuality

Obatala – Sky Father and creator of Orishas and human beings, rules all

Great news!

You can now watch this video – and all Spanish language videos – with English subtitles. It’s free!

Click here for instructions on how to turn on English subtitles.

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.

The Pedrito Martinez Group – Tuve Una Revelación

Afro-Cuban culture, Cuba, The Cuba-US connection, Video and audio

From Tiny Desk Concerts, one of the best things NPR does.

Recent work from the Pedrito Martinez Group…

“Tuve Una Revelación” (I had a revelation)

Medicina para el alma en el siglo XXI.

Great news!

You can now watch this video – and all Spanish language videos – with English subtitles. It’s free!

Click here for instructions on how to turn on English subtitles.

– Ken McCarthy
Jazz on the Tube

P.S. Our unique programming is made possible by help from people like you. Learn how you can contribute to our efforts here: Support Jazz on the Tube
Thanks.

Go to Cuba with Jazz on the Tube as your guide:
Click here for details