REGISTER HERE  -   WEBSITE (MORE INFO)  -  call +1.413.597.3340  -  Official Flyer

Come and join us as we explore and network percussive traditions from the African Diaspora with some of most experienced artists and performers in the U.S. 
Contact: Berta P. Jottar = berta.p.jottar [at] williams [dot] edu 

New Meanings: Afro-Descendant Percussion Practice - A Symposium
Williams College + Mass MoCA | February 12-14, 2010

New Meanings: Afro-Descendant Percussion Practices, explores the impact and direction of musical developments in the African Diaspora.  Through interactive workshops, panels, lecture-demonstrations, video and concerts, the symposium will examine the contemporary interconnectivity that exists between percussion practices from West Africa, the Caribbean and the U.S. Guest lecturers and artists include: Pedrito Martinez, Roman Diaz, M’bemba Bangoura, Ilu Aye, Café da Silva, Tyshawn Sorey, Mike Wimberly, Barbara Browning, Sonny Allen, Frisner Augustine, Atiba Rorie, Berta Jottar, Bashir Shakur, and more!!

Student Registration $35
Early Registration $75  (before Jan. 29)
Late Registration $85  (before Feb. 12)
Door Registration $100 

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Issac y Manolín con Los Van Van en la Yuma

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Volume 3 of the Beyond Salsa Piano series is now available in Hard-Copy at CreateSpace.com.

Another milestone! Full details on the status page.

Volume 4 in eBook will be out within a week.

The revised version of Vol. 1, by the way, is already available in eBook form and its hard-copy version will go back online Wednesday.

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After three long awaited years the Dallas, Texas based band Havana NRG (New Rhythm Generation) returns to the recording world with the sophomore release of “Receta Perfecta”.

click here to listen to sample tracks

This December 2009 CD release coincided with their celebration in Dallas at Cirque Night Club (6-9pm) where close to 600 patrons, fans & media will unite to taste the savory recipe that this hot young band cooks up before continuing their hectic tour schedule. It also marks the radio debut of the CD and as ‘defenders of the music realm’ we ask that you support Havana NRG! Cuban Orchestra this weekend by playing the opening track, “DIME SI TE VAS”, as the official launch of the CD.

Receta Perfecta made our friend Tijana Ilich's well read Latin music blog on About.com Top Ten Salsa and Timba Albums of 2009. Tijana reports: 

"Listening to lots of the timba albums that came out this year, I was disappointed with perennial favorites Charanga Habanera and even the new Los Van Van. Surprisingly, I loved Receta Perfecta by Havana NRG. Why surprising? Havana NRG is a young timba band from Texas -- not exactly the place you expect to hear a lot of timba. But this group of young, mostly Cuban expatriates makes the genre oh-so-approachable with infectious melodies and boundless energy. The album's timba tunes are clear and crisp. They also mix-it-up with other tropical rhythms, which adds to a well thought out album. The 'NRG' stands for 'New Rhythm Generation' and seems to be the prescription for putting new life to a genre that's rumored to be on life support."

Way to go Mariela, Maiquel and crew! Thank you for your continuing support of independent artists and their projects and the preservation of our music. If we do not do it ‘commercial’ radio certainly won’t!

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