Biography
Arsenio Rodríguez, one of the most important figures in the history of Cuban music, was a prolific composer (he penned close to 200 songs), tresero, percussionist, and bandleader whose innovations changed the face of Latin dance music and paved the way for what would eventually become known as salsa. He is considered the father of the conjunto, an instrumental format that was revolutionary for its time because it introduced the conga drum, which had previously been considered taboo because of its African origin. His compositions, many of which became standards of the Cuban and New York salsa repertoires, frequently emphasized Afro-Cuban, particularly Congolese, elements in their subject matter.
A descendent of Congolese slaves, Rodríguez was born on August 30, 1911, in Guira de Macurije in Cuba's western province, Mantanzas. At age seven » Read more
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- Don Azpiazu
- Cachao
- Pérez Prado
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- Francisco Aguabella
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See Also
Influenced By
Followed
- Willie Colón
- Manny Oquendo
- Larry Harlow
- Johnny Pacheco
- NG la Banda
- Los Zafiros
- Compay Segundo
- Beny Moré
- Tite Curet Alonso
- Marc Ribot
- Mongo Santamaría
- Celia Cruz
- Cachao
- ¡Cubanismo!
