New Meanings

Berta Jottar was kind enough to pass along the following information:

Register Now!!

New Meanings: Afro-Descendant Percussion Practices—

A Symposium

Williams College + Mass MoCA | February 12-14, 2010

Come and join us as we explore and network percussive traditions from the African Diaspora with some of most experienced artists and performers in the U.S.

New Meanings: Afro-Descendant Percussion Practices, explores the impact and direction of musical developments in the African Diaspora. Through interactive workshops, panels, lecture-demonstrations, video and concerts, the symposium will examine the contemporary interconnectivity that exists between percussion practices from West Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S.

Guest lecturers and artists include: Pedrito Martinez, Roman Diaz, M’bemba Bangoura, Ilu Aye, Café da Silva, Tyshawn Sorey, Mike Wimberly, Barbara Browning, Sonny Allen, Frisner Augustine, Atiba Rorie, Berta Jottar, Bashir Shakur, and more!!

To register and for more information, visit: stalwart-originality.williams.edu or call 413.597.3340

Student Registration $35

Early Registration $75

(before Jan. 29)

Late Registration $85

(before Feb. 12)

Door Registration $100

**Bus available, roundtrip from NYC/Williamstown for $40, see registration.

Ibae: Manuel Martinez Olivera "El Llanero Solitario"

I got a message from Lisa Maya Knauer early this morning with the following information:

Manuel Martinez, better known to many as "El llanero solitario", died
on Friday, January 29. Manuel made an indelible mark on the New York
rumba scene after he arrived in the Mariel boatlift, teaching, inspiring
and collaborating with dozens, if not more, enthusiasts. He was a
mainstay of the Central Park rumba, as well as some pioneering musical
ensembles like Chevere Macun Chevere and Los Afortunados.

He had been in failing health for the last several years. Over the years, many friends, proteges and fellow musicians took Manuel
in, and tried to help him find a more stable living situation, but for
the last several years, as his health declined, he was in a nursing
home in the Bronx. In recent years, only a small number of people
stayed directly involved with him. I'll leave it to
others to share their thoughts and recollections of Manuel, as I only
got to know him pretty late in the game (mid to late 1990s).

Funeral arrangements are being made at San Francisco/First Ave. Funeral
Services, First Avenue and 115 St. Once date and time for the viewing
have been set, we will send you the information.

Lisa Maya Knauer

P.S.

Manuel Martinez Olivera (1930-2010), Viewing Monday, February 1, 3-10
p.m. at San Francisco/First Avenue Funeral Services, 2242 First Avenue
(btwn 115-116 St., across from Camaradas).

Ibae - Israel "Izzy" Davila

(Izzy Davila, Photo Credit: Izzy Davila's Myspace)

It is with great sadness that I share with you the passing of another great rumbero. Israel "Izzy" Davila passed away in New York a couple of days ago, and has left a major void within the rumba/santo community. Izzy was an accomplished singer and percussionist, and if you have never heard him, just look him up on this site. More info to come but I wanted to put this out to everyone before too much time had passed.

(Photo Credit: Mark Sanders)

*** Mark Sanders, from Fidel Eyeglasses.Com sent me a great pic of Izzy, standing by his good friend Jose Rivera, and Eddie "Sweetback". Thanks Mark for the great pic***

Los Pleneros de La 21 - 25 Years

Los Pleneros de la 21 in partnership with the Hostos Center for Arts & Culture Celebrate 25 Years of Bomba & Plena…Para Todos Ustedes!

Saturday, November 21st 2009 with a Commemorative Concert 7:30 pm Main Theater (Hostos Community College/CUNY)

A 2 hour explosive Musical Journey honoring 25 years of LP21 with an ALL STAR MUSICAL LINE-UP FEATURING LP21’s intergenerational Ensemble of master artists & VERY SPECIAL GUESTS:

• Miguel “Meñique” Barcasnegras (El Sonero Añejo) • • Héctor “Tito” Matos (Viento de Agua) • • Elio villafranca (Piano) • • Hector "tito" Rodriguez • • IVAN RENTA •

Admission: $15 Box office & info: 718-518-4455 Tickets online: www.hostos.cuny.edu/culturearts ~ Followed by ~ Silver Anniversary Post-Concert Reception 9:30 pm – 11:30 pm Hostos Community College/CUNY 2nd Floor Bridge 450 Grand Concourse (at 149th Street) The Bronx

$15.00 General Admission (includes food, drink and entertainment) Purchase online today at: http://www.losplenerosdela21.org - OR - RSVP by Wednesday, November 18th 2009 212-427-5221, julia@losplenerosdela21.org THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL SILENT AUCTION OF LP21 ARCHIVE & HISTORICAL MATERIALS, PRICELESS SERVICES AND OTHER GOODIES! All proceeds will support the Puerto Rican Music Project and LP21’s programming for LP21’s next 25 years!

Directions 2, 4, 5 trains to 149th Street and Grand Concourse

A Special Thank You to all of our Donors & Volunteers: • Wallace & Nydia Edgecombe • Roberta Singer • Francis Acevedo •Manuela Arciniegas • Milagros Gerena-Rochet • Ravil López • Nilsa Márquez • • Antonia Morales • Leticia Peguero • Nelson Ramos • Sylvia Ramos Ortíz • Luz Rivera • • Los Pleneros de la 21 • • Members of the Bomba & Plena Community Workshops

• For More Information: Julia L. Gutiérrez-Rivera 212.427.5221 Julia@losplenerosdela21.org http://www.losplenerosdela21.org LOS PLENEROS DE LA 21 Uniting Community Building and Cultural Equity through Music for over 25 years! 1680 Lexington Avenue, Room 209 El Barrio, NYC 10029 t. 212.427.5221 f. 212.427.5339 http://www.losplenerosdela21.org http://www.myspace.com/losplenerosdela21 Friend us on Facebook today! LP21's 25th Anniversary Concert is made possible in part by support from the New York State Council on the Arts, the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, The National Endowment on the Arts and the Offices of NYC Council Member Melissa Mark Viverito, District 8.