Cuba, Latin Jazz & Salsa Coverage |
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 Clave Royalty Kicks Back in New York Down Beat May 2007 Although Alfredo “Chocolate” Armenteros’ sound was formed by a childhood of the Afro-Cuban rhythms and rich musical history of his birthright, Armenteros has little interest in music in Cuba these days: “I don’t know anything about it there now. I never cared for politics. Politics doesn’t make for good music,” he said. After telling a story about the famous 1950s Mexican cathouse Bandidas, Armenteros shook his finger to correct a misunderstanding. “We didn’t go to mess around, you know, it was to play music. I played there, everyone did,” he said. It was the day after Thanksgiving. At Armentero’s elbow was a tall glass of Remy Martin, which he calls his “Do-Re-Me.” He was finishing the second of four cigars for the visit, and often leaned forward sharply when he made a point. With the added distraction of the dazzling photographs and memorabilia of a career covering the walls of his Spanish Harlem apartment, it was often hard to follow his rapid Spanish. – article continues – download pdf |
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