IV. JUNE 2, 2002 ISSAC AT RANCHO GASPAR, MIAMI

with Gonzalo Rubalcalba (foto by Kevin Moore)

Rancho Gaspar, the outdoor venue where both Charanga Habanera¹s "Live in the USA" and Manolín¹s "El Puente" were recorded, is an ideal place to hear Timba. It¹s located out in the countryside, about 15 minutes from Miami Airport. There¹s a huge roofed area with tables where food and drinks are served, an outdoor area with picnic tables and massive field with a high stage in the middle, such that it¹s possible to stand in front of the stage or to either side and get a very clear view of any of the musicians. It¹s also very easy to find a place with a comfortable volume level that still has an excellent view. It¹s nicely maintained and bordered by trees. It¹s also large and peaceful enough to brings kids.

The huge, mostly Cuban crowd was definitely into the music, but not quite as joyous as the Tampa audience. The ambience was more like a Havana concert where Timba concerts aren¹t so hard to come by.

Among the listeners were enough great musicians to form several bands. Sitting in were Gonzalo Rubalcalba (legendary Jazz pianist and a frequent contributor to Issac¹s albums), Reinier Guerra (Manolín¹s drummer), and Danny Barrios, (one of the most talented of the local percussionists, and a frequent member or sub with JB y su Trabuco, Manolín and others).

Also "in the house" were conguero Tomasito Cruz (Paulito, Manolín), Manolín coristas Joaquín "El Kid" Díaz and Dayamí Sánchez, Carlos Averhoff Sr. (alumnus of NG La Banda, Irakere and Issac¹s group) and the father of the current saxophonist, and of course, timba.com contributor Duniel Deya, who took many of the photos shown here.

As afternoon gradually gave way to evening, Issac & Co. played two long and extremely satisfying sets, each with a couple of songs from Haila in the middle. In addition to the material played in Tampa they played "Luz viajera", "La fórmula", and a rare and wonderful performance of the classic Alain Pérez arrangement of "Con la punta del pie".

Lizyanet, Verdecia, Alexander, Alfredo, Issac, Rolando (photo: Kevin Moore)

This is the real deal -- what Timba is all about. If you¹re lucky enough to live near any of the tour stops, be sure not to miss it and please send us your reports.