Music of the Past and Present - The Conga and Its Famous Congueros

If you've ever listened to Latin or salsa music, chances are you've heard conga drums beating in the background. A conga is a Cuban drum that is made from wood or fiberglass, and can vary in size and sound. Conga drums are generally played in sets of two, and the beat is drummed out with the palms and fingers of the hand. You may see conga players standing in front of their drums when they are mounted on a stand, or sitting in front of two or three of them. The conga rhythm will entrance you while the beat makes you want to hop up on your feet and dance. People who play the congas are called conguero, and we can thank many famous conga players for their popular beats in both modern music as well as great music from the past.

Ray Barretto is one of the most recognized conga players. He's been called the Godfather of Latin Jazz or the King of Hard Hands. During his career in New York and beyond, he not only provided conga accompanying to bands like the Rolling Stones, he also scored his own hits such as "El Watusi,." Barretto was an accomplished recording artist, and eventually went on to win a Grammy for one of his albums. His career spanned both the creation of a fusion band as well as multiple solo efforts. The unique style that Barretto displayed when playing the congas translated into his future influence over both Latin jazz and salsa.

If you enjoy the soothing beats of two or three congos at one time, you have Candido Camero to thank. Camero hailed from Cuba and moved to New York to work with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie. Originally conguero's played one drum at a time, but Candido choose to play two or three, along with a side bongo. Candido is still wowing the crowds at the age of 88, as he tours New York.

Armando Peraza is a Cuban percussionist with long time ties to modern music through Carlos Santana and jazz pianist George Shearing. Peraza was a young man with no experience when, looking to fulfill a spot in a band that needed a conga player, he taught himself the conga in one afternoon. Peraza is a long-standing member of the group Santana, and has also played with Peggy Lee and Eric Clapton.

Like Peraza, Francisco Aguabella is another famous modern conguero. Providing drum beats for The Doors and Paul Simon, Aguabella also taught drumming at the University of California.

Carlos 'Patato' Valdes was not so much a recording artist as he was an instrumental part in creating the modern conga drum. Valdes pioneered the metal ring that is affixed to the body of the conga, which allowed the user to tighten the skin in order to provide proper tuning of the instrument. His invention was patented under the name "Patato" model, and is used by modern bands to this day. Created from fiberglass, the Patato design is for a tall drum with a wide belly and small bottom. Valdes is also known for pioneering a melodic drum sound.

Whether you enjoy fine Latin jazz or romantic salsa, chances are you'll be hearing a conga drum mixed into the melody. The conga drum sound interlaces with melodies to provide a seamless musical experience. Not unlike the pioneers of rock and roll, famous conguero are responsible for much of the beat in percussion we enjoy today.