Johnny Conga - Latin Percussion Player

Johnny Conga Resume

ABOUT JOHNNY CONGA: Johnny Conga, a Volcanopercussion.com endorsee, has been performing for 50 years, as a “multi-percussionist-specialist”, in the Art of Afro-Cuban/Caribbean drumming and music. Some of the Artists that “JC” has worked with cover the gamut of “styles” in music. Here is a short list: Carlos Santana, Eddie Palmieri, Sergio Mendes & Brasil 77, Paquito D’Riviera, The Jackson 5, Willie Bobo, Mongo Santamaria, Cerrone(France), Gloria Gaynor and over 100 other major artist’s in the United States and abroad. To date Johnny has been in 153 bands of all kinds, and has done 17 International tours all over the world. Please visit http://www.myspace.com/jcjohnnyconga http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/congajohnny http://www.youtube.com/user/JohnnyConga Grammy Member Pacific Northwest chapter-former Governor Member of BMI as composer/arranger Member of N.A.R.A.S. (National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences) Member of L.A.R.A.S. (Latin Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) Member of Percussive Arts Society Endorsed by Volcano Percussion Weekday Radio Host for WDNA 88.9FM Miami on every Wednesday at 8 pm EST.USA And online at www.wdna.org Dance Companies: Olatunji Drummers and Dancers-New York City Chuck Davis Afro-American Dance Co-New York City New York City Ballet Co. Mattie Lascoe Caribbean Splash-Los Angeles Miami City Ballet Co.-Miami,Fla. “Drummin”-Tania Leon-Miami/Germany Released OYE! CD 2012 Released "Breaking Skin" CD 2009 Released first CD 1994 called Johnny Conga & Caribe + Roots of Rhythm on Skyward records. Recognized by State of Florida as “Folklorist”-1997 Former P.A.C. E.(performing arts and cultural education) Artist for Dade County, Florida 1995 Recordings on Columbia-ABC-Polygram-Island-Roxbury-Skyward-Infinity-Cuni and others. Producers: George S Clinton-Cheech and Chong-Trevor Lawrence-John Arrias-Pete Moore(The Miracles), John Robinson,Ken Mansfield, and Steve and Nat Kipner.(short list). Former Associate Professor at the University of Miami-Dept of Perc.-1990-92 under the auspices of Professor Fred Wickstrom. Education: . Studied Djimbe and drum set at Jazzmobile-IS 201-NYCity, with Ritchie “Pablo” Landrum and Charlie Persip. Attended the East 3rd St. Music Settlement in 1972, and the Johnny Colon School of Music NYC. Studied timbales and bongos with Manny Oquendo and Nicky Marrero. Studied with Ubaldo Nieto(Machito Orchestra drummer) reading for timbales Attended Los Angeles Community College 1976-78 Liberal Arts program Since moving to Seattle WA in 2002-2014 I have taught at the following Institutions: Former Adjunct faculty at Shoreline Community College, Shoreline,WA Former Adjunct at Cornish College of the Arts as ‘substitute’ since 2005 for the Latin ensemble for Jovino Santos Neto Bellevue Community College Jazz Orchestra-workshop on Latin rhythms Puget Sound Community College- Latin percussion workshop for Jazz ensemble with Dr. Chris Stover Olympia Community College, Olympia WA.-substitute Instructor for percussion class University of Washington-workshop on Afro-Cuban drumming and music with Teacher Michael Smolker former Instructor at “Music Works” Northwest-Bellevue, Seattle-2002-2003 My curriculum includes the Cuban method of learning how to play the Conga drums and the multitude of rhythms and styles of Cuban music. What I teach is up to 100 Afro-Cuban/Caribbean rhythms (list is available) Sound development 5 points of the hand-Heel/Palm/Fulcrum/Inner Knuckles/Tip of fingers Hand exercises which also include rudimentary exercises Counting and reading for Conga drum Drum ensemble more than 3 drummers The Clave and concepts in Clave Odd time playing From one drum to 5 drums CongaRobics™ for advanced players "Cognitive Discovery" in use with the drum I have been a performer for over 50 years and a teacher of the drum for over 25. References upon request.

Updated: May 30, 2014