- Changuito
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Changuito (born José Luis Quintana on January 18, 1948) is a Cuban percussionist.
Contents
Biography
Quintana was born in 1948 in Casablanca, Cuba.[1] As a child he played professionally in bands such as Havana Jazz (joining aged 8), with his musician father, and with La Pandilla de los Cabezas de Perros.[1] At the age of 13, he volunteered for military service and played in army bands, serving for three years, during which he also played in the jazz band Estrellas de Occidente.[1] In 1964 he joined the popular band Los Harmonicos, followed by a year in Sonorama 6, and spells as drummer in Souvinir and La Orchestra de Musica Moderna.[1]
In 1970 he joined Los Van Van.[1] They created the songo, where a combination of percussion instruments (timbales, cowbells, wood blocks, electronic drums and cymbals) and hand techniques are characteristic.
He first recorded as a solo artist in 1992 and became recognized as a teacher of percussion.[1] In 1996 Changuito was nominated for a Grammy award for his work with Carlos "Patato" Valdes and Orestes Vilato, produced by Greg Landau.[1][2] This was his first recording in the United States and it highlighted many aspects of his playing overlooked in his Van Van recordings. He also played on a recording with Greg Landau accompanying Puerto Rican poet Piri Thomas along with Patato and Orestes. He has also contributed to recordings by Hilario Duran.[3]
Changuito taught other percussionists like Giovanni Hidalgo and Karl Perazzo (of Santana).
Selected Discography
- [1962] Cal Tjader - Cal Tjader Plays The Contemporary Music Of Mexico And Brasil
- [1994] Flora Purim - Speed of Light
- [1995] Orestes Vilató, Changuito, Patato - Ritmo Y Candela: Rhythm at the Crossroads
- [1997] Juan Formell and Los Van Van - De Cuba
- [1999] Fourth World (Airto Moreira and Flora Purim) - Last Journey
- [2000] Changuito / Cándido Fabré / Tiburon - El Muso Y Su Sonora
- [2000] Maraca - Descarga Total
- [2000] Airto Moreira - Homeless
- [2000] Brice Wassy - Shrine Dance
- [2001] Clave Y Guaguanco with Celeste Mendoza and Changuito - Noche De La Rumba
- [2001] Changuito - Syncopation
- [2002] Maraca - Tremenda Rumba!
- [2002] Giraldo Piloto - Klimax
- [2004] Diego el Cigala and Bebo Valdés - Lagrimas Negras
- [2007] Changuito - Telegrafias Sin Hilo[4]
References
Further reading
- Jose Luis Quintana "Changuito" (1998) Changuito: A Master's Approach to Timbales, Alfred Publishing Co., ISBN 978-0769214351
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