Marcus Persiani and Willie Colon

In a previous post I mentioned how Chicago salsa/ jazz pianist Marcus Persiani moved on to New York after paying his dues in the windy city. As a follow-up to that post I am attaching a link of Marcus jamming with Willie Colon for all to see. This video has some sync issues so be patient and let it buffer awhile before you play it. Great video. Enjoy…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=INUJ3kglldM&feature=player_embedded#at=175 

Los Congeros De Humboldt Park

 

……Its summertime in Chicago - people getting shot, traffic congestion, open hydrants, street dealers working their spots and a lot of craziness out here. It’s hot - into the 90s they say. I need to get away so I’m going to Humboldt Park to see what “El Corillo de Humboldt Park” is up to. The park is our world. Bacalaitos, frituras, alcapurrias and other treats are plentiful as well as a cold one someone is willing to sell you from their secret stash. As you near the park, you pass a group of older cats playing dominoes at a table set up on Division Street. The speakers from Lily’s Records blare a Gran Combo tune entertaining the neighborhood.

 As you enter the park, the sounds put you in the mood. A salsero is marking time with a cowbell to the sounds from the boom box he set up. People are camped out ignoring the mess that society has to deal with outside the confines of the park. Further up, the rhythm from the conga players are playing to the crowds in the park and draw you into their world. There is no stage, no speakers - the grass is sufficient. It is good enough to move the scantly clad females into salsa frenzy. “El Corillo” is here. This is la salsa de mi barrio at its best. Come on over and check it out. Be sure to click on the link to get the feel of it…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fE5OnZeAIMM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL 

Los Primos

During the 1980s, there were a couple of cousins that were accomplished percussionists who were making their way around the salsa scene back then. I recall hearing about, and then meeting the first one, an extremely talented bongo player who everyone referred to as “Chocolate.” What impressed me most about “Chocolate” was his professionalism and versatility in all Latin percussion instruments. He was a perfectionist who influenced everyone he played with. His real name was Miguel “Chocolate” Cruz. He was a real showman who eventually moved on to Puerto Rico to pursue his musical endeavors while dedicating his life to his faith. He was one of the early salsa pioneers in Chicago. Also during that time, I had the pleasure of meeting a very talented conga player named, Jose “Negrito” Perez. “Negrito,” as everyone called him, was an outstanding conga player who had a very solid tone. Yes, I said tone. You see, many conga players today have a slapping sound or a “thud” when they play, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It is a rare few though who actually emit a tone when they play. It comes out as a note instead of a “thud.” Anyway, “Negrito” was one of the few in Chicago who did this. I later found out that “Negrito” and “Chocolate” were cousins. I remember that “Negrito” was often called on to play shows and to accompany visiting artists who appeared in Chicago. As it turned out, Jose “Negrito” Perez had a brother, another outstanding percussionist named, “Herbie.” “Herbie,” whose name I believe was Heriberto Perez, was another outstanding Latin percussionist. As was the case with “Chocolate” and “Negrito,” “Herbie” also had a hell of a swing and was the steady hand of many salsa groups in Chicago. All three of these guys had a style next to none and had a big influence in molding the Latin percussion sound in Chicago during that time.

Recently, I was at the Chicago Salsa Congress checking out the headline act from Puerto Rico, “Sammy Garcia y El Sabor de Puerto Rico,” when someone mentioned to me that Sammy Garcia, the leader and conga player of the band, is also a cousin to Jose “Negrito” Perez and Herbie Perez. Wow! I was shocked. What a small world. This family is loaded with talent if this is true. They must have music in their veins. Anyway, I was wondering if anyone could tell us what Miguel “Chocolate” Cruz, Jose “Negrito” Perez and “Herbie” Perez are doing today. I always had good memories of these guys and hope their careers flourished.