Audio Examples

Rumba de Solar / Rumba from the Streets
This is a rumba guaguancó composed by Sal Nunez, a vocalist who has worked with various Latin ensembles in Miami. The percussionists have also performed with a range of bands in Miami and elsewhere. Several have lived in New York in the past. "Rumba de Solar" was rehearsed one and then performed for this recording. While the rumba guaguancó genre often opens with a wordless solo, this one begins with a statement of the verse, followed by the call-and-response section. Freddi Lugo provides a solo on the quinto, the lead drum in a rumba ensemble.
Performed by Freedie Lugo (quitnto), Marty Galagarza (segundo), Doug Floyd (tumadora), Walter Rodriguez (clave), Maria Serafin (guagua), Sal Nunez (lead vocal), Candito (chorus/maracas), Papi Pagoni (chorus), Tony Pepsi (chorus). Recorded at the home of Marty Galagarza in Homestead, Florida on June 27th, 1998.
(Historical Museum of Southern Florida #CD01 1999)

Te Cojí Hajá
This is a bomba composed by David Rodreguez, who is a prolific composer of plenas and jíbaro songs as well. Rodriguez serves as the lead singer for the selection, while Jonathan Carlos Vargas provides an innovative rap. As is common in contemporary bomba performances, tumbadoras (large congas) are substituted for the traditional bomba drums.
Performed by David Rodriguez, Pierre Ramos, Jonathan Carlos Vargas, Anibal Rivera, Jr., (vocals, maracas, shakers, güiro), Juan Carlos Rivera (tumbadora), Manuel Valle (tumbadora), Marlow "Pinkism" Rosaldo (keyboard), David Garcia (electric bass). Recorded in a rehearsal studio in Hialeah Gardens, Florida on May 7th 1998.
(Historical Museum of Southern Florida #cd01 1999)

Rara Songs
This is a medley of Rara songs. Rara is a traditional celebration held during the Lenten season in Haiti that includes percussion, costuming, dance, and music played by an array of percussion and wind instruments.
Performed by Joseph "Ti Rouj" Senatus (mamman), Cathelius "Ton Ton" Laguerre (segon), Enceau Fatal (kata, chorus), Franz "KiKi" Wainwright (lead vocal), Chorus: Marleine Bastien, Antony Byas, Rose Bleus, Ginette Etienne, Jeannette Grégoire, Antoine Henry Volel, Ernst Mirville, Ernst Registre, Nancy St. Léger, Mikette Wainwright and Jan Mapou (group director). Recorded at a concert of the Historical Museum.
(Historical Museum of Southern Florida #cd01 1999)

The audio excerpts heard here and were released by The Historical Museum of Southern Florida on the recording titled Caribbean Percussion Traditions in Miami and recorded and mastered by Gustavo Matamoros. The notes included here were taken from the liner notes by Steve Stuempfle which accompany the recording.

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