percussion with
Santiago "Chaguito" Garzón
Chaguito is
the former musical director of “Rumberos de Cuba” and
"Clave Y Guaguancó" and has been the co-directer with
Boogalu on several very successful DVD projects. He has a warm and
outgoing personally, and is regarded by other Cuban musicians as
one of the best creative drummers in Havana.
He is currently available for
private classes in a wide variety Cuba musical forms including:
rumba - guanguancó, yambu, columbia
batá - yoruba, arara
conga - yuka, congo, makuta, bembe and and guiro/shekere
popular music - son, pilon, mambo, mozambique,
chachacha, guaracha, songo, timba, salsa
report from Steve Haney
percussionist from California
"I spent two months in Cuba studying with different
drummers on rumba, bata, and salsa bongo, timbal, and congas.Chaguito
is the man knowing rhythms from Guantanamo to Havana. Chaguito is
not only a great singer/percussionist he is a good person. In Havana
you want to study with a great drummer, but also someone to trust
and inspire. Chaguito is versed in many styles. I took lessons on
changui bongo, modern rumba guarapachaguero cajon, and conga. He
is very unique and innovative presenting Cuban percussion in a new
light."
report from Richard Kensington
percussionist from England
"I have studied with Chaguito many times over the
last 6 years both in the UK and Havana. I have learned from him
in one-to-one and group study situations organised by La Timbala
in the UK.
I love learning with Chaguito for a great many reasons. Firstly
he is a fantastic drummer and it is a joy to watch him demonstrate
anything that he is showing you. He is incredibly patient and relaxed
and he works with individuals in a non-judgemental, encouraging
way pushing you forward and never letting you run before you can
walk.
He is an excellent technician and completely transformed my technique
and approach to conga drumming. He has a broad knowledge of traditional
and folkloric Cuban musical forms and is eager o share this with
those willing to put in the time and energy to learn.
Chaguito is a real innovator who not only plays traditional music
but uses his knowledge of traditional music to fuse old styles and
create new ones. He is very creative with his playing and not only
a guardian of tradition but a great rumbero in the true sense of
the word; he can play sing and dance rumba. His compositions have
been performed by some of Cuba's finest and most renouned groups
Chaguito is very welcoming and friendly and his concern for his
pupils extends beyond classes. He has often gone out of his way
to help me in Havana and has been keen for me to attend rehearsals
and ceremonies with him where I have had the chance to play. This
experience is available in no class room!
To finish Chaguito is a great musician, teacher and human being.
I would not hesitate to recommend him to anyone wishing to learn
about Afro-Cuban Conga drumming styles and song. Always remember
the message of the clave "Tran-qui-lo - Re-lax"!"
report from Paul Wheatley
percussionist from USA
"I studied with Chago for two weeks in Havana in a series of
one-on-one lessons. At my request, we covered many folkloric styles
(including Palo, Yambu, Columbia, Guaguanco) on cajones and congas,
plus some modern grooves including some really funky fusions of
old and modern styles (such as MerenGuaguanco).
Chago's conga/cajon playing is simply awesome, he must surely
be one of the greatest players in Cuba today. Just watching him
play is an education. On top of all this, he is a thorough teacher,
always calm and patient, and can teach to any level.
I'd highly recommended him to anyone wishing to improve their
playing!"
report from Fouad Nazih
percussionist from Germany
I met Chaguito in Havanna and had one week of lessons with him everyday.
Chaguito is a very good teacher and very simpatico. I enjoyed every
lesson very much.
report from Michael Keog
I spent a week in Havana and had a class with Chaguito every day.
An amazing talent. Thanks for providing his details.
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