Background
In August 2000, I traveled to Cuba to study
folkloric Afro-Cuban music. On my first day there I stumbled upon a Santería
ceremony in a house in Havana. I met one of the bata drummers there, Lekiam
Aguilar, and he invited me to another type of ceremony that he was going to play at.
I'm glad I accepted because what I encountered was something I had never even
heard about before. I began to learn about a type of music and ceremony that is rarely
known outside of Cuba. I also met a number of great musicians and people from a
group called Grupo Cuero y Cajón.
*****
Grupo Cuero y Cajón is a group of Cuban musicians who perform regularly at
religious festivities in and around the area of Marianao (a "suburb" of Havana).
The players are from a neighborhood in Marianao called Pogolotti which, on any
given day, could have numerous religious or semi-religious "actividades" going on.
The group plays folkloric Afro-Cuban music based, in part, on traditional rhythms
from the Bantu people of Africa. The songs that accompany these rhythms are usually
called "Plegarias" or "Espirituales" (Spirituals) and are often used in ceremonies to
honor deceased ancestors (Egun). Although much of the group's repertoire is
traditional, their musical knowledge, instrumentation, and personal style all
contribute to a very unique sound. (A member list is below.)
*****
I decided I couldn't leave Cuba before I had something to study and to help me
remember this great group. So, I asked them if it would be okay for me to record
some of what they do. They agreed, on condition that I help them sell the recording
when I returned to the States. I told them that I would be more than happy to
introduce others to this music, and that is why this page exists!
-- Nolan Warden, ProducerMembers
(from left to right in above photo)
Pedro Pozo Pedroso: Musical Director, Cajon (Wooden Box), Vocals
Silvano Pozo Pedroso: Tumbadora (Conga), Vocals
Dairon Rodriguez Perlez (seated): Guagua, Guataca (Hoe Blade), Vocals
Lekiam Aguilar Guerrero: Representation/Director, Vocals
Luciano Silverio Ochandarena: Lead Vocals, Achere (Maraca)
Photos from August, 2005.
[Above] Luciano, Pedro, me, and Silvano after a ceremony.
[Below] Lekiam, Pedro, and Silvano on the walk to work.
