Maykel Vicens
Congas
Born: Havana, August 26, 1979
Maykel Vicens plays congas and provides much of the backbone to their music.
Says Maykel: "The history of Cuban music begins, I believe, with the simplicity of the drums. The original native tribes that were found in Cuba by the Spanish had their rhythms already in place – and the arrival of the Africans to work in the fields brought new richness to Cuba's percussion. All of those drumming traditions and more can be heard in Cuba's oldest compositions and can be detected in the newest music coming off the streets and clubs of Havana."
Maykel himself began beating the drums with serious intent at age ten at the elementary school of the prestigious Guillermo Tomás Conservatory.
"I think in the United States you have schools that specialize even that early on such things as science, literature, acting, and music," says Maykel. "My school specialized in percussion. You could hear us pounding away four blocks in any direction and God help you if you lived nearby and didn't like the sound of drums. We were relentless!"
Maykel continued in his music studies at Cuba's influential National Arts School (E.N.A.) and graduated in 1999 as an instrumentalist and percussion instructor.
Says Maykel: "Cuba is not wealthy, but it is rich in rhythm. A richness that I can transmit to audiences through my congas”.
Maykel credits the leader of 3 de la Habana, Germán Pinelli, as one of his most influential teachers.
Says Maykel: "Germán is always a gentleman, but he also has a tough charisma about him that pushes you to do your best, to try new things. If you listen to our music the first time, it might be the melody that first catches you. By the second time you hear it, the rhythm takes hold and provides, I think, a singular stamp and distinction."
"The batá has a great sound and a strange shape -- like an hourglass, but one cone is larger than the other," adds Maykel. "For a long time, I think, Cubans thought the batá came from their country, but we now know it is from the land of Yoruba in Nigeria. The batá is also a central part of the religion of Santeria which is practiced not just in Cuba, but in Puerto Rico and even the United States."
Maykel reveres Puerto Rican Giovanni Hidalgo, called "Mañenguito," who is renowned for his conga playing.
According to Maykel: "Giovanni was raised in a family where everyone played drums morning and night, and he was surrounded by congas, bongos, timbales and all the rest as a very young child. He broke through when he joined the Batacumbele Band in 1980 and then traveled the next year to Cuba."
Adds Maykel: "In Cuba, Giovanni met one of our own immortals, Jose Luis Quintana. "We call him "Changuito." The rest is musical history. Mañenguito and Changuito created a unique style of rhythm that I think changed everything in Latin music from that time forward."
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Band Members
Germán
director, guitar, vocals
Ana
vocals
Arì
vocals
Tirso
bongo-percussion
Magela
bass guitar
Maykel
congas
History
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