Pellito El Afrokan, congas percussion
Cuban percussionist Pellito el Afrokan, the grandson of the late great Cuban musician Pello El Afrokan, the originator of the Cuban Mozambique rhythm/dance, will conduct a percussion workshop where he will teach Cuban rhythms on conga drums and other percussion instruments. Conga drums will be provided, though you are welcome to bring your own conga drum. The workshop will start at 5:30 p.m. with an introduction to Pellito and the history of the original Mozambique rhythm from Cuba. The Mozambique rhythm and the dance will be taught to workshop attendees, followed by instruction in other Afro-Cuban rhythms such as Rumba, Conga de Comparsa, Yuka, and Makuta.
This program is ideal for intermediate to advanced percussionists or other musicians interested in learning more about Cuban percussion.
Omar Merencio Izquierdo was born in Havana, Cuba, on January 7, 1980. From a very young age, his inclination for music began due to the musical influence and artistic environment that he breathed in his family. His grandfather was Maestro Pello el Afrokan, and his great-uncles were also excellent Congueros Roberto Izquierdo and Gilberto Izquierdo. This musical and percussion heritage goes back a long way because Pellito’s great-grandfather was the first conga player to have a Typical Orchestra in Cuba, and his name was Roberto Izquierdo Morales, who played with the Belisario López Orchestra in the ‘30s, ‘40s and ‘50s.
