Sandy Perez is very fortunate to be a member of the far-flung and talented Villamil family: a prominent folkloric family in Matanzas, Cuba.
The Villamil family is among the most famous Cuban folkloric families in the world. Most of the members of Afrocuba de Matanzas are Villamil, for example. Other family members play in such groups as the Conjunto Folklorico Nacional, Rumba y Son, and los Muñequitos de Matanzas. In the words of Danilito Perez, who as Omo Elegba and Tata Nganga represents both the Yoruba and the Congo side of the family, "I was born to a family completely full of folkloric traditions and AfroCuban customs, the Villamil family, from which come the greater part of the rumbero singers, percussionists, and dancers in the province of Matanzas."
Neye Benziyor?
Jesus Perez, Carlos Aldama, Jesus Diaz, John Santos, Edgardo Cambon, Jerry Gonzalez, Regino Jimenez, Tata Guines, Miguel Anga Diaz, Eddie Montalvo, Giovanni Hidalgo, Paoli Mejias, Roberto Quintero, Luisito Quintero, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, Candido Camero, Potato Valdez, Pancho Quinto, AfroCuba de Matanzas, Francisco Aguabella, Conjunto Folklorico Nacional de Cuba, Rumba y Son, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Clave Y Guauanco, Yoruba Andabo, Merceditas Valdes, Los Papines, Juan Formell y Los Van Van - Bata conga timbale salsa Rumba Havana Yoruba Santeria Santiago timba tumbadores bongo dance percussion drum folkloric
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Ramon "Sandy" Garcia Perez, a master Batalero/Congero, and principal/lead percussionist for 12 years with Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas, is recognized the world over for his expertise as a percussionist and instructor. Sandy Perez, who is a direct decendant from the legendary Villamil family, brings a wealth of knowledge while continuing the legacy of Afro-Cuban folklore from the cradle of african Culture in Cuba: Matanzas.
Sandy joined Grupo Afro-Cuba de Matanzas at age 17, and within a few years he earned the position of principal drummer and soloist; a privilege he maintained until his move to the US. Grupo AfroCuba is a legendary folkloric group from Matanzas, Cuba. They are known as the originators of "Bata Rumba," and famed for their mastery of the full spectrum of Afro-Cuban folkloric music and dance.
Although the roots of his techniques are founded in Afro-Cuban folkloric styles, Sandy's open-minded approach has enabled him to adapt to styles ranging from Cuban popular (Salsa) to fusion and avant-garde jazz.
Sandy is one of the best known and most talented percussionists from Matanzas. Playing for over 12 years with the legendary Groupo AfroCuba de Matanzas, Sandy has become one of the most experienced folkloric players in the world. Since his days with Grupo Afro-Cuba, he recorded with other artists, and has now moved to Oakland, CA. Recently, Sandy was a featured artist at the 1996 Havana Jazz Festival and was invited to perform at the 1996 Afrocubanismo! festival in Banff, Canada.
Autobiography from Sandy:
Born in 1970, I began playing music at the age of 8 in a group playing musica campesina. Our group of young musicians performed in several national festivals in Matanzas.
At the age of 10, I began playing with a group comprised of the children of the members of the Muñequitos de Matanzas. It's name was "Nueva Generacion" (New Generation). We played in all of the Muñequitos' concerts.
With this experience, I created a group with the name Yumurinos de Matanzas. We worked in many important Havana festivals, including the Festival de la Rumba in Matanzas.
I began playing with the folkloric group Afrocuba de Matanzas in 1987.
After that, I decided to work with Steve Coleman, and I worked with him in many places, including a tour of Europe. I also worked with Anga Diaz and Yosvany Terry. We also worked in Africa with some of Youssou N'Dour's people, with Sawinu and other important artists from outside and inside Cuba.
Currently, I perform with various folkloric and popular groups in the San Francisco Bay Area, I teach privately and in groups, and I conduct workshops in various universities in the United States such as Stanford, University of Arcada, and many others in California.
In the future, I will be starting a partnership with a dance studio to teach the music and dance of my homeland.
-- Sandy, '98
Biografia
Biografia
Empese la musica cuando tenia 8 año en un grupo donde la cual eramos todos niños y tocabamos musica campesina. Trabajamos en festivales nacionales y haciamos actividades dentro de Matanzás. Posterioramente a los 10 años, comence con un grupo que todos eramos hijos de los Muñequitos de Matanzás. El nombre de ese grupo se llamaba Nueva Generación, dondre tabajamo asi en todas las actividades con los Muñequitos de Matanzás.
Despues yo, Ramon Garcia (Sandy), hize un grupo llamado Yumurinos d' Matanzás donde trabajemos muchos en eventos muy importantes con Festivales en la Habana, el Festival de la Rumba en Matanzás, etc.
En el año 87 comence con la Agrupacion Folklorica de Matanzás Afrocuba y estuve trabajando en los Estados Unidos solo en distintas Universidades como Stanford, la Universidad de Arcada, la de Los Angeles, y otros lugares en California y todo el pais.
Despues decidi trabajar con Steve Coleman donde he trabajado mucho en distinto lugares tambien con Anga Diaz y Yosvany Terry. Trabajamos tambien en Africa con algunas gente de Youssou N'Dour, con Sawinu y otros artistas importante de alla y de aqui.
Gracias -- Ramon Garcia Peréz
Vaya, la gente de Matanzas, oye asere, solo unas lineas para desearte lo mejor de las navidades que se acercan ya, hace tiempo que no tocamos juntos pero bueno por lo menos dime donde estas tocando pa' ir a verte, Oscar "el Matanzero"
HOLA!!! Saludos Musicales, Visita mi myspace y podras escuchar un pequeno adelanto de mi proximo trabajo discografico YAOUNDE HI!!!!! Musical Greeting, visit my myspace and you will be able to listen a small preview of my upcoming release YAOUNDE. Mucha Paz, amor y musica Much Peace, Love and Music
HOLA!!! Saludos Musicales, Visita mi myspace y podras escuchar un pequeno adelanto de mi proximo trabajo discografico YAOUNDE HI!!!!! Musical Greeting, visit my myspace and you will be able to listen a small preview of my upcoming release YAOUNDE. Mucha Paz, amor y musica Much Peace, Love and Music
"NYC-based Afro-Cuban ensemble, Oyu Oro performs Raices y Estampas Cubanas", an exhilarating compilation of traditional dance and music forms that have evolved from the Yoruba and Dahomeyan cultures of West Africa and the Haitian influences in Cuba. The piece brings to life the spiritual sound and dynamic movement of Afro-Cuban Heritage and Cuba's cultural relationship with African, Caribbean and Latino cultures."
This is my music page. I'll be posting dates, tracks, videos and updates from myself and the bands I'm playing with these days. I would love to have you all as my friends!
Thanks,
Isaac
There will be new tracks and better recordings soon!
Mi querido Maestro! Por favor delete el comentario previo! Eso fué un SPAM!!!! AQUI ESTAMOS EN PORTLAND COMO YA SABES. Siempre estás invitado. Un abrazo, Virginia
hi how are you doing? your myspace is looking awesome! but anyways, i just found some awesome new ringtones from www.singingcell.info for FREE! they have the sweetest stuff!
