VIDEO LESSON SERIES:
VICTOR RENDÓN
& CHEMBO CORNIEL

STYLISTIC FUNDAMENTALS FOR THE AFRO-CUBAN PERCUSSIONIST

In order to understand the percussionist's (or drumset player's) role within the common Afro-Cuban styles, a student must first be grounded in the fundamentals of tradition. Learning the basics of each instrument's playing techniques and traditional rhythms will provide the foundation for a true understanding of the role he or she should play within the ensemble.

In this lesson series, master percussionists Victor Rendón and Chembo Corniel break down the fundamentals for the Cha-Cha-Chá, Mambo and Bembe 6/8 styles on timbales, congas and drumset.

Victor Rendón

Drummer/percussionist/educator/composer/arranger, Victor Rendón, of Mexican-American descent, is a sought after New York City musician who has worked with Mongo Santamaria, Chico O'Farrill, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Ray Santos, Grupo Caribe, The Latin Jazz Coalition, The "New" Xavier Cugat Orchestra, Los Más Valientes, Grupo Latin Vibe, Rudy Calzado’s Cubarama, Henry Brun and the Latin Playerz, and many others. He currently performs with the much acclaimed salsa group, Grupo Latin Vibe as well as his own group, Blue Mambo. Mr. Rendón currently teaches at Lehman College in the Bronx, where he co-leads the Latin Jazz Ensemble with his long-time colleague, Armando Rodriguez.

As an author/transcriber, Rendón's work has appeared in Modern Drummer, DRUM!, Percussive Notes, Drumfiles, DCI Music Video, RRR Education Newsletter (Reading-Writing-Rhythm) by LP, and Warner Bros. Publications. He is author of The Art of Playing Timbales published by Music in Motion Films and is former publisher of his own semi-annual magazine called The Latin Percussionist.

Rendón holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of North Texas and has taught instrumental music and Latin percussion classes in the New York Public School system and at the Boy’s Harbor Performing Arts Center. He has also conducted clinics/workshops for the Department of Education in New York City, PASIC (Percussive Arts Society International Convention), Global Praise at Princeton University, and the Eddie Ming Drum School in Bermuda among other events.

Wilson “Chembo” Corniel

Conga-playing Chembo Corniel divides his performance time between his two musical loves: Latin jazz and "old-fashioned salsa that swings." These days, he's a conguero on the move - touring worldwide with Larry Harlow's Latin Legends Band.

Manhattan-born and Brooklyn-bred Corniel was influenced early on by Tommy Lopez, Sr., Little Ray Romero, and Patato, and began playing congas, bongos, and bata at age 12. Chembo studied music at The Harbor Conservatory for the Performing Arts in New York City, Pastore Music in New Jersey, and also attended La Escuela National de Arte (ENA) in Havana, Cuba in 1997 and 1999 under the direction of Chucho Valdez. Chembo is a member of the faculty at Purchase College and teaches percussion. Chembo had the pleasure of working/touring and or recording with top artist as Chucho Valdez, Larry Harlow, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Machito, Grady Tate, Hilton Ruiz, Dave Valentin, Willie Colon, Angela Bofill, Steve Wilson, Ray Vega, Buddy Montogmery, Bob Baldwin, Chico Freeman and many more.

Chembo now leads his own Latin Jazz quintet “Grupo Chaworo” and also started his record company “Chemboro Records, Inc.” in 2004. His latest release, "Things I Wanted to Do" received a Grammy nomination for the 2009 "Best Latin Jazz Album".

For Further Study, Check out Victor's Book
“The Art of Playing Timbales”

The Art of Playing Timbales is designed for the beginning timbalero, or drumset player, who wants to understand how to play Afro-Cuban music in a professional setting. If you have just purchased a pair of timbales, this book will teach you everything from proper setup, stick sizes, rhythms, independence, transitions, song forms, and SOLOING. Each music example has a corresponding track number which can be found on the CD. Simply read the music exercises, and listen to the corresponding track number on your CD player.

A complete Afro-Cuban percussion work-out. Each exercise on timbales is also arranged for drumset. Conga and bongo students will find their parts in each section of the book and CD.

Each section features play-along CHARTS and CD TRACKS with some of NY's top Latino musicians: Sergio Rivera (piano), Victor Venegas (bass), Heriberto Rivera (bongo), "Tito" Rivera (congas), and Victor Rendón (timbales and drumset). By using these play-along charts you will gain valuable realistic playing experience that will directly translate to your school ensemble or professional group.

"Victor Rendón has done the improbable: He has made it possible for a wide range of drummer/percussionists to approach the art of timbales without fear of failure. Rendón breaks down the daunting clave structure so that we all can relate, and demonstrates how the instruments of the Afro-Cuban percussion section (timbales, congas, bongos, and sometimes drumset) function as a unit. Learning to play timbales (or to emulate their rhythms on drumset) makes any drummer more valuable on the bandstand, and Rendón's instructional method is as clear as it's going to get.

The author's clarity in presentation is further enriched by his discussion of the evolution of Latin rhythms and instruments, and by his richly detailed interviews with master timbaleros. Victor Rendón has worked with giants like Mongo Santamaria and Patato Valdes, and has taught music for years within the New York community, and now he's authored the most authoritative book on the "original" Latin drumkit. Viva timbales!"

      --Modern Drummer Magazine

If you love Latin music, you should definitely check out Victor's latest recording!

FIESTA PERCUSIVA is a celebration of percussion in a variety of styles from the Caribbean and South America. Led and produced by drummer/percussionist, Victor Rendón, the percussive pieces explore the cultures of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Peru, Mexico, and other Latino influences.

Nominated for a 2009 Grammy, Chembo's 3rd recording should be on everyone's listening list!

Rare is the percussionist who can play with the authoritative control illustrated by this young giant. His masterful technique and skill as a leader have been greatly emphasized by his three previous productions, while his credits as a stable and reliable sideman are a virtual encyclopedia. Staying very much in the here and now, Chembo (the leader) once again comes to the fore, as he takes pride in presenting his latest musical endeavor, "Things I Wanted To Do" (a great title by the way, for a recording by someone that has practically done it all). Even the slower paced tunes have that certain edge; a certain soulfulness and dedication to the art form and an ineffable, enchanting quality that is quite present throughout this production, and which might best be encapsulated in a single word, duende.

For those of us who have witnessed any of his past performances, well, all the more impressed we are, for Chembo is not one to sit back and rest on his laurels, opting instead to build upon that which he has already created, actively pursuing a lifelong dream in bridging the musically rich past with the new and uncharted future. At this point in his career, Chembo (the recording artist) is totally in control of his art (not to mention his financial affairs), and is quite intent on staying in the game, pushing his limits each and every time he steps up to the plate, meeting the many challenges of a constantly changing market, and making a new statement with every project that he gets involved with. To some, this type of high stakes diversity can be suicidal, but for Chembo (the warrior), it's par for the course. Win some, lose some, but play the game he will, and what he ultimately brings to the table is an all encompassing view of what modern Latin jazz should be. The days of simple jazz overtones floating over the old ballroom dance rhythms are over, and Chembo (the visionary) knows this all too well.

As he has so often illustrated in the past, Chembo (the innovator) unequivocally refuses to allow any restrictions to infringe upon the complete and total offertory of candid and exhilarating jazz, issuing forth his craft with great determination, with a complete and definite brilliance that is his alone. My first encounter with him in the studio was when we both recorded with Andrea Brachfeld, and I've admired his zeal ever since. He is one of those talented artists whose skills by far surpass his fame, and as a result he is quite modest for it. As a percussionist, he is able to fluctuate between the many distinct Caribbean folkloric styles, the very modal and strictly-for-dancing Cuban salsa groove, plus the bluesy and very up-swinging jazz tinged styles that are available in most modern American music; all without losing site of the African element in each, which is why all of these elements, collectively or individually are so dominant in his music. In his tuning, Chembo prefers a peculiarly dry sound, while showing a remarkable ability in transforming harmonical structures and melodic lines into rhythmic patterns and riffs. To be sure, Chembo is first and foremost a drummer, and one helluva soloist at that; yet rock-steady when he has to be. Personal prowess notwithstanding, here is someone who is undeniably a team member, and in such a good understanding with his mates that the result is a most enjoyable combination of moods and sounds, all locked into the whole. A carefully woven tapestry of sounds that can delight the listener as well as the dancer in all of us.

"Things I Wanted To Do" would have certainly been less than perfect if drummer Vince Cherico, bassist Carlo Derosa and pianist Elio Villafranca had not all marked the rhythm as assertively and inventively as they did. Saxophonist Ivan Renta is in top form throughout this recording, and no session would be complete without at least a few invited guests. John Dimartino, Frank Fontaine, Ludovic Beier, Octavio Kotan, Gennaro Tedesco, Ruben Rodriguez, Dave Samuels, Jimmy Bosch, David Oquendo, Junior Rivera, Marvin Diz, Pedro Martinez, Roman Diaz and Ileana Santamaria all add the extra spark that ignites and ultimately kindles the fire, turning eleven original compositions and a forgotten oldie into future classics.