Angá Díaz
Biography
1961-2006
The tall conga drum, of African origin, associated with marches and carnival parties is one of the driving forces of Cuban popular music. And Angá Diaz was one of the world’s great congueros, with his explosive soloing and inventive five conga patterns. He was committed to developing the instrument, extending its use into other Latin rhythms, jazz, jungle and hip-hop, whilst retaining its Cuban roots.
Angá began playing precociously early, performing and recording professionally whilst still at college. He made his name as part of pioneering Latin jazz group Irakere and with them perfected his five drum technique. Emerging in the mid-nineties as an independent musician, Angá was free to diversify and pursue a variety of different projects – from the experimental jazz of Steve Coleman and Roy Hargrove, to hip hop with Orishas, to his tours with pianist Omar Sosa. Angá’s musical journey was a personal quest to explore and create new sounds and rhythmic fusions.
More than just a performer, Angá was a formidable teacher giving master classes at schools and universities across North America and Europe. In 2000 Angá produced a tuition video which explained his techniques and the philosophy behind his playing. It won Percussion Video of the Year from Drum Magazine. Angá continued to teach on a regular basis and built up a network of students from his base near Barcelona.
Angá’s first project with World Circuit was the hugely influential Afro Cuban All Stars album, A Toda Cuba le Gusta (1996) which showcased the depth and continuing vitality of Cuban music. It was recorded at the EGREM studios just before the legendary Buena Vista Social Club sessions. Henceforth, Angá became an integral part of World Circuit’s Buena Vista family, adding his trademark sound to albums from Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Guajiro Mirabal, and the second Afro Cuban All Stars record. Angá’s own musical vision would emerge with the release of the album Cachaíto (2001), an inspired union of Afro-Cuban jazz, reggae, hip hop and funk showcasing the Cuban bass legend Cachaíto López. Building from these foundations and incorporating elements of his own Santeria religion, Angá released his own ‘solo’ album Echu Mingua in 2005, the last in the Buena Vista series.
Its title is his saint’s name in Yoruba, Eleggua, the god of crossroads. It celebrates the African elements in Cuban music as he invites the spirits in ‘Rezos’, gives an extended conga workout on ‘Gandinga, Mondongo Sandunga’ and accompanies them back on ‘Closing’. Elsewhere there are personal takes on jazz standards ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘A Love Supreme’. Several Buena Vista musicians feature as guests, including pianist Rubén González, trumpeter Guajiro Mirabal and, of course, bass player Cachaíto López plus Malian percussion and ngoni player Baba Sissoko. It’s an exciting fusion of styles and a fitting testament to one of Cuba’s great musical innovators.
When he died unexpectedly in 2006, his twin daughters Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Díaz were only 11 years old. In 2016, as the duo Ibeyi, they released their own eponymous album as a fitting homage to his memory. Angá was an irrepressible character with a larger than life personality, whose beaming grin and booming laugh were matched by a warmth and humility that touched all of those lucky enough to know him.
BIOGRAPHY
1961-2006
The tall conga drum, of African origin, associated with marches and carnival parties is one of the driving forces of Cuban popular music. And Angá Diaz was one of the world’s great congueros, with his explosive soloing and inventive five conga patterns. He was committed to developing the instrument, extending its use into other Latin rhythms, jazz, jungle and hip-hop, whilst retaining its Cuban roots.
Angá began playing precociously early, performing and recording professionally whilst still at college. He made his name as part of pioneering Latin jazz group Irakere and with them perfected his five drum technique. Emerging in the mid-nineties as an independent musician, Angá was free to diversify and pursue a variety of different projects – from the experimental jazz of Steve Coleman and Roy Hargrove, to hip hop with Orishas, to his tours with pianist Omar Sosa. Angá’s musical journey was a personal quest to explore and create new sounds and rhythmic fusions.
More than just a performer, Angá was a formidable teacher giving master classes at schools and universities across North America and Europe. In 2000 Angá produced a tuition video which explained his techniques and the philosophy behind his playing. It won Percussion Video of the Year from Drum Magazine. Angá continued to teach on a regular basis and built up a network of students from his base near Barcelona.
Angá’s first project with World Circuit was the hugely influential Afro Cuban All Stars album, A Toda Cuba le Gusta (1996) which showcased the depth and continuing vitality of Cuban music. It was recorded at the EGREM studios just before the legendary Buena Vista Social Club sessions. Henceforth, Angá became an integral part of World Circuit’s Buena Vista family, adding his trademark sound to albums from Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Guajiro Mirabal, and the second Afro Cuban All Stars record. Angá’s own musical vision would emerge with the release of the album Cachaíto (2001), an inspired union of Afro-Cuban jazz, reggae, hip hop and funk showcasing the Cuban bass legend Cachaíto López. Building from these foundations and incorporating elements of his own Santeria religion, Angá released his own ‘solo’ album Echu Mingua in 2005, the last in the Buena Vista series.
Its title is his saint’s name in Yoruba, Eleggua, the god of crossroads. It celebrates the African elements in Cuban music as he invites the spirits in ‘Rezos’, gives an extended conga workout on ‘Gandinga, Mondongo Sandunga’ and accompanies them back on ‘Closing’. Elsewhere there are personal takes on jazz standards ‘Round Midnight’ and ‘A Love Supreme’. Several Buena Vista musicians feature as guests, including pianist Rubén González, trumpeter Guajiro Mirabal and, of course, bass player Cachaíto López plus Malian percussion and ngoni player Baba Sissoko. It’s an exciting fusion of styles and a fitting testament to one of Cuba’s great musical innovators.
When he died unexpectedly in 2006, his twin daughters Lisa-Kainde and Naomi Díaz were only 11 years old. In 2016, as the duo Ibeyi, they released their own eponymous album as a fitting homage to his memory. Angá was an irrepressible character with a larger than life personality, whose beaming grin and booming laugh were matched by a warmth and humility that touched all of those lucky enough to know him.
RELEASES
Echu Mingua
FEATURES
A Toda Cuba Le Gusta
Cachaito
Buena Vista Social Club Presents Manuel Guajiro Mirabal
Buenos Hermanos
Buenos Hermanos 'Special Edition'
