I AM NOW AN ENDORSEE OF VOLCANO PERCUSSION CONGAS. I look forward to representing Volcano Percussion, and playing on the most Beautiful looking/sounding drums on the planet!.....Volcano Percussion Artist-JOHNNY CONGA
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CONGA CAMP/INTENSIVE with JOHNNY CONGA
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Can't go to Cuba to study the Conga drum?...I am offering a "Conga-Camp/Intensive" in my home in Seattle,WA....you will be taught 6 hours a day, 2 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. Room and Board plus transportation to and from the airport is available also. I teach the "Cuban"method of learning to play, as taught in Cuba..as well as my own developed methods over 40 years ... Hand exercises(manoteos), technique, counting, clave conciousness, up to 40 rhythms from Cuba and Latin America, "play along"...and much more...if interested in my "CC-I"...email at johnnyconga2@hotmail.com I have been Teaching for over 25 years and some of my students have gone on to musical careers.....
Johnny's Conga Camp review (May 2008)
Hello, my name is Alex Guzman. I currently live in Kissimmee, FL by way of Philly and Puerto Rico. I have been playing congas and djembe for the last two years mostly doing the video, youtube, and drum circle thing. It's become quite a passion and I'm trying hard to catch up since I started late in life.
Having just had one of the big milestone birthdays, I decided to treat myself to a drumming related trip to get professional help on technique, playing, rhythms, etc. I researched quite a few options including camps, total drumming immersions, etc. I finally decided on Johnny Conga's week long intensive camp. I was fortunate enough to combine this with the Seattle World Percussion Festival that was happening the weekend before my classes with Johnny would start. I decided to attend to Johnny's conga camp for several reasons.
I'm usually a good judge of character after speaking to a person just one time. After making the initial contact with Johnny, he confirmed my decision. I was totally right. Before getting to the technical parts of the camp, etc., I have to say that Johnny is a very straight up, professional person. He is very quick to share his vast knowledge acquired during more than 40 years of professional experience. None of the "watch me, I'm faster and better than anyone out there" business.
Fast forwarding to the day I arrive in Seattle, Johnny picks me up at the airport and we arrive at his home where I meet his very kind wife who makes me feel totally at home right from the get go. It was late on a Friday and the day before we are to start our weekend long festival experience. He shows me his studio and we briefly go over what to expect, my desires, his experience, etc.
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After an awesome time in the festival and meeting JC's friends and fellow musicians, we start work on Monday morning. What can I say, when Johnny says "Intensive", he is not kidding. He quickly corrected some of the technical issues that go along with being a self-taught conguero. Things that quickly come to mind – lazy left hand, fingers not positioned correctly, ergonomics, efficiency, clarity, keeping correct time, etc., etc., etc.
Johnny is pretty clear on what you will learn and he does not disappoint – sound development exercises that will make you sound like the real thing, different variations of many rhythms both from the old school and new, how and what to play during real life scenarios, and many other things to mention. If you want to know what a real conguero/percussionist/working musician does, then I would recommend Johnny's camp.
While there, I saw and experienced Johnny implementing what he teaches while gigging/rehearsing with a Funk/R&B band, a folksy/blues trio, and a latin/brazilian fusion band. I got the opportunity to sit in and play with one of the bands and it was a real joy.
So what did I get out of the camp…. Years worth of instruction packed into a heavy duty week. I have much material that will keep me busy for a long time. I got tips on the proper way to practice and maximize my time. I can't speak enough of Johnny's professionalism as both as a percussionist and his ability to share his knowledge in a comprehensive manner. I can go into details and make this a good ten pages long but I'll suffice by saying that if you're debating making this part of your journey, "DO IT". You will be glad you did and you will come out with much more than you anticipate. I gained a friend and mentor for life….
Influences
TITO PUENTE-CAL TJADER-WILLIE BOBO-MONGO SANTAMARIA-JACK COSTANZO-ARMANDO PERAZA- RAY BARETTO,"HANK" FIELDS-AND MANY OTHERS.
VOLCANO PERCUSSION ARTIST ..
Bobby Ramirez Latin Jazz
JOHNNY CONGA with CERRONE-"LIVE" 1978 at the Pavilion de Paris
JOHNNY CONGA with GLORIA GAYNOR 1976
JOHNNY CONGA with GLORIA GAYNOR-HELSINKI- FINLAND 1976
Johnny Conga & Friends on South Beach-Miami,Florida-1990's
JOHNNY CONGA with TAM KATZIN & BRONWYN EDWARDS 2007
JOHNNY CONGA with ANJUMAN-Seattle,WA
JOHNNY CONGA & TUMBA CALIENTE -Seattle,WA at Jazzbones/Tacoma
JOHNNY CONGA & TUMBA CALIENTE
JOHNNY CONGA CRUISE SHIP GIG WITH OCTAVIO FIGUEROA BAND
Sounds Like
I grew up in "DA BRONX" in the 60's/70's and was playing in Latin bands by the time I was 15 and half years old. I was afforded the "luxury" of seeing, hearing,and playing with some of the best Latin bands ever, during this time. I started with "JOE PANAMA" doing gigs on the "loisida"(lower east side-NYC) and lots of weddings. Then with "FELIPE "PHIL" DIAZ & THE LATIN JAZZ SEXTET", where I really "learned the ropes" from Phil Diaz, Manny Ramos, Pat Patrick, Llewellyn Matthews, and Carl Witherspoon. From there I went thru the bands of "RENE GRAND Y SU COMBO", "GIL SUAREZ & THE HI-LATINS", "EARNIE AGOSTO Y LA CONSPIRACION","THE LATINAIRES with LOUIS SMALL & CARLOS CROSSMAN", "JUNGLE RAT" with DWIGHT BREWSTER, "FESSOR FUNK", "ROSETTA STONE", and some lesser known bands.
I got to see and hear so many many bands growing up in New York City and "Da Bronx". They had a profound influence on my life and I have not stopped playing or listening to what I believe is the GREATEST MUSIC ever invented!.
My band plays in that "NY Style", and people ask what is that?.... Well it's the same thing you would find in Puerto Rico or Cuba-Great Musicians and Great Music. It is the "supreme" ground of "competition". Where else could you truly test your latin Music skills, outside of those 3 places?
I would also like to THANK George "Sabu" Caldwell the 3rd(who played with Dizzy Gillespie,Charlie Parker, others and toured with Katherine Dunham's Dance Co.) Who gave me rhythms and taught me to become a "Dance Musician".....
I would like to give CREDIT to a Mr. Henry "Hank" Fields, who taught me how to play the drum and gave me my first set of fiberglass congas.
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JOHNNY CONGA'S RULES OF MUSICAL ENGAGEMENT-
1st rule - PLAY TIME! until it's YOUR time!
2nd rule- DO NOT OVERPLAY!
3rd rule- PAY ATTENTION!
4th rule- KNOW YOUR CLAVE!
5TH rule- UNDERSTAND THE MUSIC/FORM YOUR PLAYING TO!
6TH rule- UNDERSTAND YOUR ROLE AS THE CONGA DRUMMER AND WHAT'S EXPECTED OF YOU!
7th rule- BE ON TIME!
8th rule- KNOW HOW TO COUNT AS YOU PLAY!
9th rule- KNOW YOUR RHYTHMS/STYLES!
10th rule-LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN!
11th rule- PLAY WITH DYNAMICS!
12th rule- BE AN UNSELFISH PLAYER,BE A GIVER!
13th rule- MAINTAIN A 'PROFESSIONAL' ATTITUDE AT ALL TIMES!
14th rule- STUDY AND LEARN ABOUT THE CULTURE AND THE MUSIC SURROUNDING THE CONGA DRUM!
15th rule- DESIRE,DISCEPLINE, DEDICATION, DETERMINATION = DESTINY
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I HAVE BEEN A WORKING MUSICIAN NOW FOR 45 YEARS AND HAVE WORKED WITH OVER 100 MAJOR ARTISTS LIKE: SERGIO MENDES, THE JACKSON 5, PAQUITO D'RIVERA, JUAN PABLO TORRES, GLORIA GAYNOR, DAVE VALENTIN, MONGO SANTAMARIA, WILLIE BOBO, EL CHICANO, AND MANY MANY OTHERS(see Performance History on site page).
I STILL TRAVEL, RECORD AND NOW PUT TO MY TEACHINGS WHAT IS CALLED "NEURO LINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING" WITH MY "CONGAROBICS(TM)" METHODS ON THE CONGA DRUM. I HAVE BEEN TEACHING NOW FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AND TEACH THE METHODS AS THEY ARE TAUGHT TODAY IN CUBA, ON THE CONGA DRUM, AS WELL AS MY OWN.
I have taught at: University of Miami Dept. of Percussion
Cornish College of the Arts-Seattle,WA
Pacific Lutheran University-Olympia,WA
Music Works Northwest-Bellevue,WA
I have worked as a "Folklorist" in Los Angeles County School district
Dade County,Florida
Seattle,WA
I have also worked as a "dance musician" for the New York City Ballet
Miami City Ballet
Chuck Davis Afro American Dance Co.
Olatunji drummers and dancers
Mattie Lascoe Afro-Haitian Dance Co.
.NEWS!! NEWS!! NEWS!!
I AM CURRENTLY RUNNING WHAT I CALL A "CONGA-CAMP/INTENSIVE", WHERE YOU CAN COME AND LIVE IN MY HOME FOR UP TO A WEEK AND STUDY THE CONGA DRUM FOR 6 HOURS A DAY, ROOM AND BOARD INCLUDED. FOR THOSE INTERESTED PLEASE EMAIL ME AT johnnyconga@hotmail.com...for more information...
also chekout my 17 learn How to Play the Conga drum videos on youtube.com..for beginners....
class="modmyprofileDOTcom"> Click to zoom in on my visitor map!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=zqaHLhinvPo
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DON'T FORGET TO CHEK OUT MY ONLINE RADIO SHOW http://www.kbcs.fm "AL LADO LATINO" 91.3fm every saturday at 6pm Pacific coast time USA...my shows are also 'ARCHIVED' so u can listen to it anytime, day or night, wherever you are in the world.
JOSE DACAL DID A GREAT JOB FOR MY NEW RELEASE "BREAKING SKIN" FOR THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED OF A GRAPHIC ARTIST FOR THEIR NEXT CD , I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND MY FRIEND AND TALENTED ARTIST-JOSE DACAL...HERE IS HIS INFO
www.myspace.com/djdacal My NEW CD "BREAKING SKIN/ROMPIENDO EL CUERO" WILL BE AVAILABLE AT DIGSTATION, ITUNES, AND OTHER ONLINE SITES. UNDER THE CATEGORY OF WORLD MUSIC....FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BUYING A COPY FROM ME PLEASE EMAIL ME AT johnnyconga2@hotmail.com for YOUR COPY TODAY!..
HERE IS THE LINK TO DIGSTATION http://www.digstation.com/JohnnyConga
also at
Wishing you the best always and looking forward to hearing your new CD. Very glad all is going well for you,one of the great Percussionists and always a true gentleman,ACHE pa' ti,my brother always!!
Thanks so much for your CD and the kind words. Your new CD is a work of art and you should be very proud of this achievement. I wish the very best as you continue to grow and further advance your art. Your friend and teacher.........................................David
MY NEW CD "BREAKING SKIN/ROMPIENDO EL CUERO" IS NOW AVAILABLE AT THESE SITES BELOW DESCARGA.COM(SEE REVIEW) http://cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny 18 traks of Afro-Cuban/Caribbean drum arrangements and Latin Jazz music remastered from my first CD Johnny Conga & CARIBE...this CD Features the late Great Cuban trombonist Juan Pablo Torres, Eddie "GuaGua" Rivera, Edwin Bonilla, Junito Martinez, Mario Marrero, Ronnie Loreto, Doug Michaels, Tom McCormick, and Johnny Padilla.....THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR SUPPORTING THE DRUM AND MY MUSIC!...-""....Volcano Percussion Artist/Independant-"JC" Johnny Conga
GRACIAS POR PERMITIRME SER PARTE DE SUS AMISTADES, EN LO QUE PUEDA SERVIRLO CON TODO GUSTO MAESTRO. QUE DIOS LO BENDIGA SIEMPRE! DANIEL MARTINEZ PRODUCTOR GENERAL DE SONES Y SONEROS WWW.SONESYSONEROS.TK
Great new videos, Johnny! I'm glad you found those from way back. And cool new drums; they sound great. I listened to your whole show Saturday night and played along. Good stuff. Check out my page to see where I'm off to next. Take care man. Sam
