| If you've ever listened to Latin or salsa music, chances | | | | Candido is still wowing the crowds at the age of 88, |
| are you've heard conga drums beating in the | | | | as he tours New York. |
| background. A conga is a Cuban drum that is made | | | | Armando Peraza is a Cuban percussionist with long |
| from wood or fiberglass, and can vary in size and | | | | time ties to modern music through Carlos Santana and |
| sound. Conga drums are generally played in sets of | | | | jazz pianist George Shearing. Peraza was a young |
| two, and the beat is drummed out with the palms and | | | | man with no experience when, looking to fulfill a spot in |
| fingers of the hand. You may see conga players | | | | a band that needed a conga player, he taught himself |
| standing in front of their drums when they are | | | | the conga in one afternoon. Peraza is a long-standing |
| mounted on a stand, or sitting in front of two or three | | | | member of the group Santana, and has also played |
| of them. The conga rhythm will entrance you while the | | | | with Peggy Lee and Eric Clapton. |
| beat makes you want to hop up on your feet and | | | | Like Peraza, Francisco Aguabella is another famous |
| dance. People who play the congas are called | | | | modern conguero. Providing drum beats for The Doors |
| conguero, and we can thank many famous conga | | | | and Paul Simon, Aguabella also taught drumming at the |
| players for their popular beats in both modern music | | | | University of California. |
| as well as great music from the past. | | | | Carlos 'Patato' Valdes was not so much a recording |
| Ray Barretto is one of the most recognized conga | | | | artist as he was an instrumental part in creating the |
| players. He's been called the Godfather of Latin Jazz | | | | modern conga drum. Valdes pioneered the metal ring |
| or the King of Hard Hands. During his career in New | | | | that is affixed to the body of the conga, which allowed |
| York and beyond, he not only provided conga | | | | the user to tighten the skin in order to provide proper |
| accompanying to bands like the Rolling Stones, he also | | | | tuning of the instrument. His invention was patented |
| scored his own hits such as "El Watusi,." Barretto was | | | | under the name "Patato" model, and is used by |
| an accomplished recording artist, and eventually went | | | | modern bands to this day. Created from fiberglass, the |
| on to win a Grammy for one of his albums. His career | | | | Patato design is for a tall drum with a wide belly and |
| spanned both the creation of a fusion band as well as | | | | small bottom. Valdes is also known for pioneering a |
| multiple solo efforts. The unique style that Barretto | | | | melodic drum sound. |
| displayed when playing the congas translated into his | | | | Whether you enjoy fine Latin jazz or romantic salsa, |
| future influence over both Latin jazz and salsa. | | | | chances are you'll be hearing a conga drum mixed into |
| If you enjoy the soothing beats of two or three | | | | the melody. The conga drum sound interlaces with |
| congos at one time, you have Candido Camero to | | | | melodies to provide a seamless musical experience. |
| thank. Camero hailed from Cuba and moved to New | | | | Not unlike the pioneers of rock and roll, famous |
| York to work with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie. Originally | | | | conguero are responsible for much of the beat in |
| conguero's played one drum at a time, but Candido | | | | percussion we enjoy today. |
| choose to play two or three, along with a side bongo. | | | | |