The congas are derived from the single-headed hand drums of the Congo (Bantú), above all the tambores makuta. n the comparsa, as well as in Rumba and early Son Montuno of the conjuntos, only a single tumbadora is played by one drummer. Congeros like Cand
Michael Spiro is an internationally recognized percussionist with extensive knowledge of the history of Afro-Cuban music...Spiro has also studied annually in Cuba since 1981 with musicians like Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintanta and Juan "Claro" Blanco of Or
The wife of Armando Peraza, the great Cuban percussionist who anchored the Santana rhythm section for nearly twenty years, once asked how Michael could be so into Santeria-voodoo to the man on the street-when he was obviously intelligent and educated. Mic
BataMbira is a contemporary synthesis of folkloric musics from Zimbabwe and Cuba. Mbira (thumb piano) and bata (drums) blend unusually and vivaciously.