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October, 2006
 
Bobby Sanabria: Made in New York
Drumming to a Latin Beat by Chris DiGirolamo From the streets of the South Bronx to the most well-known stages in the world, drummer, percussionist, composer and arranger Bobby Sanabria has always been about the sound. His rhythmic prowess and musical commitment to the world of Latin jazz have earned him numerous awards across the board. His sound has been described by critics as "Cuban music with a New York City attitude." That attitude is coming to New York City on October 20, when Sanabria will bring his 19-piece orchestra to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. InsideCx: How did you become a professional drummer in the New York Latin scene? BS: I grew up in the Fort Apache section of the South Bronx during the 1960s and 1970s. I was lucky because at that time the culture, both jazz and Latin, in particular the Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican strains of it, were in full force. It was the only time period where jazz, Latin, funk, R&B and pop music were all in full force on the radio. You had tremendous choices, from the Beatles to Motown to Puente and Coltrane. That's what influenced me, along with my father's eclectic taste. He listened to everything. I was in the high school band and was also watching Tito Puente at the age of 12 in a concert in my neighborhood, and watching Doc Severinson, Buddy Rich, Mongo Santamaria and Candido on TV. I made a choice for music to be my life's work. I started playing in local bands but then went to the Berklee College of Music to get my musicianship and craft together. After graduating in 1979, I became the drummer and timbale player with one of my boyhood heroes, Mongo Santamaria. From there I've gone on to perform and record with numerous world-class artists like Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente and many others. InsideCx: Tell us a little bit about the show on October 20. Who will perform with you, the charts, etc. BS: We'll be doing newly composed music for big band. The art of the big band today is mostly relegated to university-level big bands that play school concerts. It's economically unfeasible to take a big band on the road for an extended period of time unless you have major financial backing, because it's an expensive proposition for presenters. I've been fortunate because I've been able to keep this band alive—mainly because we have a reputation for playing some very progressive, adventurous music and blowing people’s minds at our performances. Every member of the orchestra is an incredible soloist. The October 20 concert will be no exception. We'll be performing some new compositions by the genius of Brazil, Hermeto Pascoal. It's some of the most creative and technically demanding music ever written. We'll also feature some music by another Brazilian composer, pianist Jovino Santos Netos, who is an incredible talent. There will be some pieces written by members of the band, like trombonists Chris Washburne, Joe Feidler and trumpeters John Walsh and Ray Vega, as well as one of my new pieces, along with some other pieces of mine that have rarely been performed. Believe it or not, we'll even be doing some of Frank Zappa's music in which I've incorporated Afro-Cuban and Dominican rhythms. For more information, visit www.tribecapac.org. Product Review Sageman Drums The Steal Your Face Djembe The people at Sageman Drums (www.sagemandrums.com), who just might be the kindest people to deal with in the entire drum market, recently sent me a sample model of their new Grateful Dead Steal Your Face Djembe. Right off the bat, I noticed the quality craftsmanship of the drum. The drum is so gorgeous you almost do not want to play it. This classic 16" x 8" (height/head) has been deep carved with the legendary "Steel Your Face" Grateful Dead logo. This is a special design that is being manufactured for the Grateful Dead by Sageman Drums. Very often in the hand drum market, looks take precedence over tone. I can assure you that Sageman Drums makes tone the priority and follows it up with an equal commitment to quality. A phenomenal tone and clarity to the sound make this drum a sure winner for the hand drum collection. These fantastic drums look as good as they sound. Made from one-piece mahogany, they make fantastic gifts for any Grateful Dead fan and/or serious drummer. |