Herencia Rumbera

(Video Credit: Eddie Bobe)

Pancho Quinto

Pancho Quinto's group played at La Esquina Habanera some time ago, and guess who got the footage. Gene just put these up on youtube. Check them out.

(Pancho Quinto y Su Anagui, El Negro Triana, Lazaro Rizo - vocals, Puntilla - quinto, Miguel Puntilla Rios - tres dos, Octavio Rodriguez - tumbador)



(Videos Courtesy of Gene Golden)

1987 Clip featuring Puntilla, Roberto Borrell, Cachao, etc...

I had to put this up, as it features the likes of Roberto Borrell, the late Orlando Puntilla Rios, Cachao, Giovanni Hidalgo, and Rene Lopez in a rehearsal for a tribute to the master, Cachao.

(Video Credit: Roberto Borrell)

More Youtubin' "GFYEN"

(GFYEN Rehearsal, Video Credit: rasmann6)



(GFYEN Rehearsal, Video Credit: rasmann6)

Tribute to Puntilla Clip

Alfie has some footage from the Puntilla tributes that we are going to eventually put up on the blog, but I wanted to share this youtube video taken at the Schomburg Center. Unless I am mistaken it looks like Roman Diaz (I mistakenly thought it was Gene Golden) is on itotele, Pedrito is on caja, and Mauricio Herrera is on okonkolo.

Also you guys need to check out this Rumbajazz video, I can't embed it, but here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdX87re6xC0&feature=channel_page

Tribute to Puntilla @ The Schomburg

Willie just emailed me the following:

(Puntilla (ibae), Photo Credit: CCADI)

Tribute to Orlando "Puntilla" Rios Concert Master Afro-Cuban Bata DrummerJanuary 10th 2009 – 7.00pm

Special Performances by: Nueva Generacion – founded by Orlando "Puntilla" Rios and Olufemi Mitchell

New Yor-Uba - founded by Michele Rosewoman

And a short preview of the documentary When the Spirits Dance Mambo. Produced by CCCADI.

Musical Director Puntilla

Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture 515 Malcolm X Blvd @ West 135th St New York, NY 10037 Tickets: $15 each To purchase tickets, call The Schomburg Shop at (212) 491-2206. Ticket charge hours, Tuesday through Saturday, Noon to 6 p.m. Part of the proceeds will be donated towards a youth drummer scholarship in recognition of Puntilla Orlando "Puntilla" Rios joined the ancestors on August 12th, 2008. This concert will celebrate the contributions that Orlando "Puntilla" Rios has made to maintaining the rich sacred Afro Cuban traditions in New York City and internationally. A master traditional leader, popular musician, teacher and mentor since his arrival to New York from Cuba he shared his profound knowledge with all communities. For more information please contact Monthina Williams

mwilliams@cccadi.org or 212-307-7420 ext 3006

Puntilla Y Su Nueva Generacion - Doc Part 2

Here is part 2 of Puntilla's Nueva Generacion, featuring Manuel Martinez "El Llanero Solitario" on lead vocals, and Felix on quinto alongside two of his mentors, the late Puntilla on tumbador, and the late Pepe Calabaza on tres dos. Enjoy.

*film courtesy of Felix Sanabria

Puntilla Y Su Nueva Generacion - Doc Part 1

When I went to Felix's place on Friday night I was literally blown away at all the great and rare video that he had in his collection. I owe Felix alot, he is my first real teacher and one of the main reasons why I am doing what I do.

Felix showed me some great video of a French Documentary on the late Orlando "Puntilla" Rios (ibae). In this first segment you have Puntilla and his grupo playing bata. Its important to note the people that are playing in this clip. You have the late Pepe Calabaza (ibae) on iya, Papo Sterling on itotele, and Roberto Borrell on okonkolo. In the ankori section you have Felix, Freddy "El Super", Lazaro Bonilla, Evelyn Smart, and of course Puntilla as the akpwon.

*film courtesy of Felix Sanabria

Orlando "Puntilla" Rios - Herencia Latina

I stumbled upon a great little page on the Herencia Latina website. An homenaje to the late great Puntilla.

(click on the pic to see the article)

Puntilla's Crew Part 2

Felix just sent me some more detailed information regarding members of Puntilla's Crew.

Remember this photo?

It just so happens that this particular group will be featured in an upcoming WPR Magazine article, but before it hits the newstands we at "Sentimiento Manana" got the inside scoop. (I have highlighted the names to better distinguish them)

From left to right and bottom up:

Ricardo, Sado Omo Agallu, the late Canute Bernard Omo Yemaya, "El Moro" Omo Elegua, Keyende Baker-Fann son of Tima and Obadele (Ibae), Mickey Rinquist from Boston, Lazaro "El Cocinero"(Ibae), Oni Shango Orlando "Puntilla" Rios (ibae), Olo Obatala Brandon Rosser, Carlos Cordova - trap drummer, Felito Oviedo Oni Shango - Akpuon (singer), Juan Omo Shango, Oluo Felix Ochebile, Ayannda Clarke, Oni Shango James Hawthorne "Chief" Bey (Ibae), Gregorio from Boston, Wilfredo el Jabao (Ibae), Oluo Abraham Rodriguez, Olo Ochun Pedro" Pepe Calabaza" Valdez (Ibae), Eddie Rodriguez, Victor "Papo" Sterling, Omo Agallu Skip Burney, Oluo Warren Smith, Victor Jaraslaw, Omo Shango Luis el Abasio, Oni Shango Donald Eaton, Olo Ochun Neal Clarke, Doc Gibbs, Santiago.

Here is a list of some of the drummers and singers who were with Puntilla who are not in the picture:

Olo Obatala Emilio Barreto, Mike and Antonni Carrillo, Gene Golden, Daniel Ponce, Giovanni Hidalgo, Richie Flores, Michael Rodriguez (Ibae), Oni Yemaya Olufemi Mitchell, Oni Yemaya Ama Mcken, Olo Obatala Ola Dejean, Olo Obatala Ama Oloriwaa', Oni Ochun Evelyn Smart, Omo Ochun Michelle Rosewoman, Omo Yemaya Amelia Pedroso (Ibae), Oscar Hernandez, Olo Ochun Regina Iyaleo, Omo Obatala Xavier Rivera, Omo Yemaya Izzy Santiago, Manuel Martinez, Omo Ogun Larry Washington, Oluo Amado Dedeu, Oni Shango Luisito Ofere, Oluo Carlos Sanchez, Pedrito Martinez, Roman Diaz, Fran Bell, Popo,Oluo Gerardo "Taboada" Fernandez, Willie Varela (Ibae), Orestes Shango, Lazaro Bonilla (Ibae) and Puntilla's son Miguel Rios. He had at one point Lazaro Galarraga singing and also Lazaro Ros (Ibae).

Dancers that performed with Puntilla are:

Olo Ochun Xiomara Rodriguez, Olo Ochun Rita Mascia, Olo Ochun Rosalia Gamboa, Olo Ochun Susan Sanabria, Olo Ochun Alberto Morgan, Oni Shango Pupi Insua, Freddy Shango, Caracol, Oluo Eddie Alfonso, Olo Obatala Pedro Domenech and Salvadore Santamaria.

Most of us who were with Puntilla have performed and recorded with just about everybody in the business; from jazz greats like Miles, Coltrane, Dizzy and Louie Armstrong to Puente, Mongo, Patato, and Palmieri, not to mention that some us have taught in Ivy league schools such as Columbia, Yale and Harvard also at the Berkley school of music and have performed with every major folkloric group in Cuba; Yoruba Andabo, Clave y Guaguanco, Grupo Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Los Munequitos, Afro-Cuba de Matanzas, and in the US; Puntilla's Nueva Generacion, Los Afortunados, David Oquendo's Raices Habaneras, Grupo Patakin and Ilu Aye.

As you can see Puntilla's influence in the Afro-Cuban, Jazz and Latin music scene was far and wide. Until he arrived in the US along with his compatriots from Cuba in 1980 we had very few who would share so much of themselves in expanding the knowledge and depth of Afro-Cuban music and folklore. May his music always live on thru us.

Felix Sanabria

Awo Orunmila Ochebile, Olo Obatala Igbinlaye, Obalowo Anya De.

Eddie Bobe - "Central Park Rumba" (CD-PIR 1365)

Two nights ago I found myself looking through my collection for the great NYC rumba recording, "Central Park Rumba". What I find amazing is that this recording is almost 10 years old, but sounds like it was recorded yesterday. I wanted to highlight this particular album as it could very well be the definitive soundtrack to our little blog here.

Whenever I am thinking about buying a record I look at one thing first, the credits. Judging by who is playing on a particular record, I can usually tell what to expect, and this is usually the deciding factor for me. Needless to say CPR did not let me down.

Here are the cast of characters:

Eddie Bobé (lead vocals, timbales, congas, claves, shekere, guagua)
Orlando "Puntilla" Rios (lead vocals, quinto, cajon, iya, claves, coro)
Pedro Martinez (lead vocals, cajon, itotele, coro)
Felix Sanabria (quinto, cajon, okonkolo, coro)
Alberto Serrano (quinto, congas, cajon, claves, coro)
Jay Rodriguez (baritone sax)
Tony Batista (bass)
Jay Collins (flute)
Jonathan Crayford (piano)

Now, what you may not know is who played what, on which particular song. For instance I always wondered who is playing that great quinto on "Columbia para los Guerreros". Well my fellow bloggees and bloggettes, I talked to Felix Sanabria today and he gave me the scoop.

"Ta Ta"- Alberto is playing quinto, Felix and Pedrito are playing tumbador and tres golpes
"Rumba Para Los Olu Bata"- Alberto on 3 drums, Felix on okonkolo, Pedrito on itotele, Puntilla on iya
"El Mas Cumbanchero"- Felix is playing quinto and Alberto is playing 3 drums
"El Parque Central"- Felix is playing quinto and Alberto is on tumbador, ? is playing tres
"Columbia Para Los Guerreros"- Alberto is playing quinto, Felix is playing tres and Puntilla is on tumbador
"NYC Quimbombo"- According to Eddie Bobe: "the cut NYC Quimbombo is just me and Puntilla I overdubbed every thing, Puntilla is on Quinto"
"Alberto's Drum Solo"- Who do you think is playing on this one?
"Bonko"- Alberto is playing bonko enchemiya, Felix is on obiapa, and ? is on kuchiyerema
"Compa Galletano"- Puntilla is on quinto, Felix and Pedrito are on tres dos and tumbador

So there you have it, the official lowdown. If you don't have a copy of this click on the picture above.

Puntilla's Crew

On my first blog entry I wrote a little info on the cats that were/are part of Puntilla's crew. El tambor del difunto Puntilla, "Obaye", has been played by quite a few talented cats, that will hopefully be covered in this blog as well.

As a sort of introduction, I would like to post a picture that was sent to me by non other than Felix Sanabria, tambolero completo, and owner of los tambores Aña Ade, Padrino to many of the younger cats rippin' it up nowadays, and rumbero extraordinaire. Felix has been part of many early and important NYC rumba groups such as Chevere Macum Chevere, Los Afortunados, Kubata and so on. Felix is a friend, teacher and all around cool brother. You will be hearing his name around here often as well.

For now...

message from Felix:

This picture was taken by the late Obadele(Omo Aganyu) from Philly at an Anya festival in honor of Ochun in October of 1993 at 630 Commonwealth in da boogie down Bronx.

* An important note...Canute Bernard, Lazaro, Puntilla, Chief Bey, Wilfredo, Pepe have passed away unfortunately, but their spirits live on. With Felix's help I hope to cover some info on Canute Bernard specifically in the near future.

More to come...

Puntilla's Wake

Unfortunately since I live in NC, I couldn't make the trip back home on such short notice for Puntilla's wake. My friend Willie "El Ruso" called me this morning and gave me some details over the phone. Willie mentioned Skip "Brinquito" Burney being there and basically directing a double tambor, unfortunately I couldn't get the names of the bataleros in question. I know Amma was there among the people that Willie mentioned. At some point there was an Abakua procession in which non-initiates had to leave for some time until a rumba commenced. Willie had to shoot out but did find out later that a rumba in fact took place. Willie did mention that Abe Rodriguez was in attendance. I like to point that out specifically since Puntilla and Abe sang duo on many occasions, live and recorded. Abe sings probably the best rumba duo that I have ever heard.

I just remembered Willie telling me about how he got to see Puntilla and Abe sing duo recently at Sports Bar (a spot in Castle Hill that holds weekly rumbas on Sundays, I have to find out if this is still going on). In any case Willie on his way home from a guiro back in November 07' had this to tell me,

"After yesterdays guiro, we went to a local club called the Sports Bar on Castle Hill Ave. Puntilla, Abie Rodriguez and Gene Golden were in attendance along with some other cats I didn't know. Puntilla blew me away! He sounds as good today as the first day he came over. He and Abie have the soneo parts down to a science. I kicked myself for not bringing my vid-cam with me. I stayed for one set then headed home".

You can hear Abe singing duo w/ Totico on "What's Your Name?" off the "Totico Y Sus Rumberos" album. He also sang duo with Puntilla on the "Deep Rumba" album, check out the small clip of "Cuentale" if you don't already have the album. Abe sang duo on much of the extremely rare "Los Afortunados" album put together by Felix Sanabria and with lead vocals by Manuel "El Llanero Solitario" Martinez.

This album and some history behind El Llanero Solitario and Los Afortunados are covered in Mark Sander's (son of CP legend Morty Sanders) great rare cuban music blog:

http://fidelseyeglasses.blogspot.com/2008/05/manuel-martinez-olivera-el-llanero-y.html

Bobby Sanabria posted his experience from yesterday's service to the Latin Jazz e Group:

Although wakes are sad occasions, they are by their very nature a place whereone can reflect and honor mightily the departed by re-connecting with oldfriends, colleagues, and connecting with those who you may be meeting for thefirst time.

So too was Puntilla's wake last night at the Montero Funeral Home in Da' BoogieDown Bronx. The borough by its very nature is home to many in the Santeriacommunity and they showed up in full force to honor el maestro del tambor.Present were Rene' Lopez, Andy Gonzalez, poet Americo Casiano, Roman Diaz,trumpeter Guido Gonzalez, Anthony Carillo, David Oquendo, Olufemi, Doc Gibbs,Skip "Brinquito" Burney, Felix Sanabria and his lovely wife, Rolando Ramos(conguero w/ Orquesta Broadway), tamborero Eddie Rodriguez, Michelle Rosewomanwho is in the process of making ocha as a yawo, Milton Cardona, akpwon EmilioBarretto, Puntilla's sister and Puntilla's two sons as well as other members ofhis family, and a host of others to numerous to mention.

One of the evenings highlights was a choir acapella singing some of Puntilla'sfavorite praise songs from the Arara tradition. Skip Burney led a group thatfinally entered clapping the appropriate bata cadences. This was one ofPuntilla's many important contributions as he taught many of these unheard ofsongs here in the States to many in the community at large and they have becomepart of the standard repertoire at any ceremony. Then finally cajones werebrought in and a series of dynamic rumbas were sung for Puntilla that harkenedback to the days when the drum was omnipresent in public all over NYC. Indeed asMarta Moreno Vega has stated, "New York is the secret African city." Puntillawas at its vortex.

Que en paz descanses maestro, ibae,

Bobby Sanabria

I've added a post about what John Santos had to say about Puntilla on the Latin Jazz E Group Board:

I'm very sad to hear of this huge loss to the field and followers of Afro-Cuban folklore.
Puntilla was undoubtedly one of the greatest exponents, guardians, and teachers of sacred and secular drumming in the history of Cuban music. A list of his students which includes among many others, Louie Bauzó, Anthony and Miguel Carrillo, Penalty "Long John" Oliva, Skip Burney, Felix Sanabria, Eddie Rodriguez, Eddie Bobé, and Jesus Diaz, tells volumes about his influence and legacy. He will always be highly respected in and out of Cuba. I've only been to Cuba three times between 1990 and 2003, but always when folks would find out that I am from the States, many would ask about Puntilla with much love. I'm honored to have gotten to know him a little, visiting him in his home and receiving him in mine, and will always consider him one of the most complete maestros of most facets of Afro-Cuban folklore. He was a fabulous singer, batalero, and rumbero, played one of the deadliest quintos I've ever heard or witnessed, and could even sing son with a ton of sabor. I saw one of his sons singing in a video from Cuba, and he sounds exactly like his Dad. His legacy will endure forever.
Ibae . . .