Conclave

Just a note on Cal recording on congas....... On the album Mambo with Tjader- Fantasy 3-202, Cal wails on congas on the tune Mamblues in the mid section. He doesn't have an authentic Afro-Cuban Tumbao sound , but he cooks nevertheless.

In addition to playing jazz trap drums, Cal played mainly timbales and he was regarded a decent timbalero. Occasionally, he sat in on congas and bongos. He also played guiro, claves, hand cowbell, shakers, a little piano and organ--- you name it, he played it. The original vinyls give instrument breakdowns, particularly the Ritmo Caliente series and early Fantasy cuts. The newer re- released CDs unfortunately don't. Of course his main ax was the Vibes, but on Amazonas ( Fantasy) he delved into the Marimba.

Willie Bobo did play timbales with Shearing on cuts "Strange","Cuban fantasy" and "Out of this world" with Armando on congas.The album "The Shearing Spell" gives the credits. I'm pretty sure Willie was never a permanent member of Shearing's touring group and neither was Mongo. I've never seen credits for Mongo or heard his style on any of Shearing's recordings. I've heard all of Shearing's Latin albums and individual latin cuts.

I'm a little late getting on the bandwagon, but my favorite conguero is Mongo. I had seen him live many times at the Palladium NYC, from a few feet away, and loved his techneque. His on 2 slap (gulpe seco) was as crisp and dry as it could be. He also was a dynamite bongosero, whose fingers sounded like wooden sticks when he popped the small bongo. As for recently, I just attended a concert at the Planting Fields in Oyster Bay LI, NY and saw the Pancho Sanchez and Nestor Torres bands. Pancho was at his usual tastful peak and he brought the tent down. But the conguero in Nestor's band was exceptionally creative and musical when he took his solo. I went back stage to try to get his name but missed him. I liked him better than Giovani Hildago in terms of completely new riffs and ideas. Anyone know his name?

I've heard parts of this CD set and think it's like a 7 for audio quality and creative groove. I have the complete Riverside 12 disc set which is basically just all of Bill's Riverside recordings lumped together. It has its moments and historical value, but it's not a must have, unless your a die hard fan. I also have the 1980 6 disc set live at the Village Vanguard, Turn out the Stars, which is fantastic -audio and creative wise- just about a 10. Bill was ill when this was recorded, but you couldn't tell by his playing.His ideas are so fluid and complex with great trio interchange, that it will knock you out. This I highly recommend,if you dig Bill...................... Your money will be well spent.

Just got back from a week in south Florida.I visited the Cuban section of Miami on Calle Ocho for some great food and sounds. It's amazing that the sounds heard were like stepping out of a time capsule, back to the 50's and 60's. The older people maintain their folklorico traditions to a fault; not being interested in any nuevo suenos. I heard a lot of Son, Son Montuno and Guaguancos, but no Charanga. The younger crowd seemed to be more into Reggaeton, which is a combination of Reggae, Latin Rap and Hip Hop........ Not exactly my cup of tea. The other variations I heard were Salsa Romantica,with extremely sweet and sticky lyrics and predictable uptempo arrangements, and lightening fast Merengues. Ugh!! What a pleasure it was to put a stack of Cal, Machito,Tito R.,Tito P., and Eddie P. CD's when I got back.Some of the best Engineered Music ever made.

The wikipedia site is interesting, but contains many inaccuracies. Cal, the father of acid rock?? ................Give me a break!! Mongo and Willie were never part of Shearing's group,although Willie did a few spot single recordings with Armando for George. West Side Story being panned ?...........By whom? Cal deserves more credit for being a catalyst, integrating Afro-Caribbean and North American Jazz to a point where it is now part of the mainstream scene- with many elements being absorbed into rock and pop!

Since we're talking tribute albums, there is a "Tribute to Chombo" on RumbaJazz that's super. It has David Sanchez playing the Chombo sax parts faithfully. A lot of Cal's tunes are featured. Unfortunately, this was recorded after Chombo's death. Incidently, Chombo also played violin in the Cuban Tipica Charanga style where the violins play the staccato sax vamp parts.

Chris: The only recordings I have of Chombo Silva are with Cal on Mas Ritmo Caliente and Tjader goes Latin on Fantasy. I always liked his big juicy sound that reminded me of Coleman Hawkins. I seem to remember he played sax with the Tito Rodriquez big band, after Cal, around the NYC area.

Listened today to the albums In a Latin Bag; Davito and Green Dolphin Street and Bamboleate; Guajira Candela and We've Loved before. What can I say ? Just too much........He was years ahead of his time. His approach captured the essence of less being more by getting his message across without garnish and frills. Viya Cal

I agree,Tjaderized is not exactly in a Tjader bag,it is strictly a new school sound. But the Sanchez tribute is quite good.The vibist, Ruben Estrada,is not ashamed to virtually copy Cal's licks cold.The sound and feel of the 60's& 70's is there. If you like the small vibe combo latin jazz /Afro Cuban sound, a few other groups to check out besides Louie Ramirez are : Bobby Montez. He was vibist based on the west coast who sounded a lot like Cal, except he used more voices. He recorded six or seven hit albums, a few are still available on CD. One of his best albums is "Jungle Fantastique" Joe Cuba Sextet. Joe was a conguero with vibes, piano, bass,timbales and side percussion complement. He was based in NYC and has a number of albums on vinyl and CD. Though he didn't play in depth musically, his group was, I think, the tightest rhythmically I ever heard. One of his best albums is "Stepping Out". Going back to the early 50's there was Joe Loco and Pete Terrace and even Puente had a vibe sextet for a few years. Maybe it was George Shearing who actually started the small vibe Latin combo sound in the late 40's ?.

There are a few fantastic tribute albums to Cal Tjader that have been around for a few years. The best ones being : Pancho Sanchez- Soul Sauce- Concord and Dave Samuels -Tjaderized- Verve An overlooked album is by Louie Ramirez - A Tribute To Cal Tjader - Bele Bele Jazz Club with Paquito D'Rivera. It's very tasty! Louie was a NYC musician who had Vibe Sextet like Cal's in the 50's and 70's. He was also a great timbalero and big band arranger, just about on a par with Tito Puente. He never made a big name but he was one of the giants on the NYC music scene. One of his best Vibe albums is" Vibes Galore" on Alegre

"With Strings" is actually also subtitled "Last night when we were young" It was recorded late 1974 and early 1975 and the strings were arranged by Frank Strazzeri. It has all lush ballads and no latin beats. Side1; I can't get started 6:08, Emily 5:06,Why did I choose you 5:25, What'll I do 2:46. Side2; Last night when we were young 2:39,A child is born 4:12, A house is not a home 3:17,For all we know 7:52. Personnel: Frank S. Piano, Eddie Duran Guitar, Harvey Newmark Bass, Dick Burk Drums, plus seven strings. Last Bolero in Berkeley-Recorded in 1973. It has a six minute version of Ravel's Bolero that's interesting. The album is neither Jazz or Latin but more eclectic pop with a little touch of all genres. Side1;Gary's Theme7:00, Don't let me be lonely tonight3:38,Charisma 4:03, Never can say goodbye 3:01. Side2;Bolero 6:03, Cloudburst 3:02,Curtain call 3:04,Where is the love 3:05, I want you back 3:44. Personnel are too numerous to mention, with about twentyfive different studio musicians in various mixes. I hope this useful.

Mikeweil: Here is a web site that has the best discography of Cal that I've seen. www.allmusic.com. It has 79 records listed. There're also some pictures, a mini bio etc. I'll list the ones I don't have and ones I have that aren't listed. ( That will save me a lot of typing. ) I don't have; 1 thru 4, 20 thru 23,32,33,35,65,77,78,79.The rest I have. I have the following that are not listed; Latin for Dancers- Fantasy F8014 Blue Last Bolero in Berkeley- Fantasy F9409 With Strings- Fantasy F9482 Time for 2 -Verve V8472 Huracan -Crystal Clear 12" 45 RPM White I also had a Fantasy Blue Latin album, that I lost at a party, that I've never seen listed anywhere. It had two songs,one each side, about 20 minutes long. I can't remember the title, but the players were Cal,Vince, Willie, Mongo and Al or Victor. I've been listening to Cal for over 45 years,so I think I can go out on a limb and list what I think are his absolute best six albums in descending order. These are albums that I believe personify his legend:( This is not easy) Ritmo Caliente - Fantasy 3-216 Cal Tjader Quintet Latin -Fantasy 3232 Jazz at the Blackhawk- Fantasy 8096 In a Latin Bag - Verve V6 8419 Soul Sauce -Verve V8614 A Fuego Vivo - Concord CJP 176 Keep the faith, Conclave

I had the great pleasure of seeing Cal and his quintet live on about ten occassions from 1959 to 1972 around the five boroughs of New York City. He appeared mainly at dances that were held at hotels,clubs,lounges, churches, boxing arena etc. His groups were consistantly well polished, professional, swinging and immensly danceable. He usually came to NYC about once a year for a weekend or so. I remember him always being very soft spoken and a complete gentlemen. I think I have most all of his original albums on vinyl starting with Fantasy (clear red, mono and clear blue, stereo- so cool) and on through the Concord labels. I've re-purchased half of these on CD, so that when I'm feeling down and out, I give myself a shot of Tjader on my car stereo............. That helps get me through the day!