The Conga Drum: Cornerstone of Latin Rhythms

When you hear the word ‘conga,’ you might think of the dance, or you might also think of the drum that’s key to the rhythm of Conga music. The Conga drum, invented by Cuban people of African descent, is only about 200 years old. In that time, how has this music evolved, and what rhythms might inform its future?

History and Giants

https://www.ipassio.com/hobbies/percussion-instruments/congas

Chino Pozo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chano_Pozo

https://peoplepill.com/people/chino-pozo/

Ray Barreto-Jazz, Latin Giant: El Rey la Las Manos Duras

https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5221802

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ia0PpA4WnEQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMzv7h61F-4

Giovanni Hidalgo

https://www.discussionsinpercussion.com/home/2019/3/13/115-giovanni-hidalgo-master-percussionist-aka-goat

Descendant of African drums

http://artdrum.com/HISTORY_OF_CONGA_DRUMS.htm

How Conga drums are made (YouTube)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQaWqaENf88

World Percussion

https://remo.com/experience/world-percussion/

Timbales

https://www.ipassio.com/hobbies/percussion-instruments/timbale

Timbales and conga videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MOFoGySmEA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jwz9f66uR5s

Bongos

https://www.x8drums.com/v/blog/2007/03/history-of-bongo-drum.asp

Grand Challenge: Valuing World Cultures

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Photo by Luz Mendoza on Unsplash

Photo by Luz Mendoza on Unsplash