#55 Renato Thoms- Percussionist for Gato Barbieri, Hilton Ruiz, Sol Y Canto and More!
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This episode starts by talking about Marcos' trip to Cuba for the 8 Y Mas performance along with several friends of the show for the Jazz Plaza Festival. You can check out Javier Raez on Episode 6, Marcos Lopez on Episode 7, Bobby Allende on Episode 42 and Marc Quinones on Episode 50.
This is an article that talks about the restrictions Trump is putting on Cuba.
Jimmy Iovine is not leaving Apple for the time being. You can read more about that HERE.
If you're interested in the history of Yacht Rock, you can click HERE and read more.
Our guest this week is Panamanian Percussionist Renato Thoms.
The song that lost out on our iconic recording for this week was "Que Se Sepa, Yo Soy De La Habana" by Irakere. The song we actually chose was "Fiesta" by Gato Barbieri which featured the late, great Ralph MacDonald on percussion.
Music News.....
Music and music education makes you smarter, so take up an instrument. Its never too late! CES just wrapped up in Vegas. Sign the Music Modernization Act which is a petition going around congress to update the terms and conditions in 100-year-old policies that reduce royalties and other laws governing the music industry that have not kept pace with technology. Facebook is changing its algorithms again so you see more from your family and friends and less from the things you like (i.e. band posts). There's an ice music festival coming up in Norway in February featuring instruments made out of ice. There's a shifting of mainstream music at festivals like Coachella. Sir Paul McCartney is showing his support for trying to keep more music venues open in England.
The song used to lead into Renato's interview is: "Pregonero" by Sol y Canto off of the album 'Sendero Del Sol'
Renato subbed for the great Wilson "Chembo" Corniel on multiple gigs. He attributes "Chembo" for lots of help in navigating his way in NYC upon his arrival so many years ago.
He mentions Luis Gonzalez, the bongo player from Ray Barretto's album "Rican/Struction". Renato considers this album a "MUST" listen if you are considering a profession as a Latin percussionist.
Renato also mentions Ricky Salas, who is a friend of his as well as a fellow Panamanian percussionist.
Shout out to Hector Neciosuop and Resurrection Drums in Miami, for helping give some guidance to Renato about choosing Berklee College of Music as his University.
Renato mentions Danilo Perez, the Panamanian pianist that spent time in Boston, ultimately joing the faculty at New England Conservatory, and then Berklee. The album with Joe Lovano/David Sanchez (Sax), Santi Debriano (bass), and Jack DeJohnette (drums), is called 'Danilo Perez'.
Paoli Mejias was the one responsible for Renato getting to play with Eddie Palmieri.
Afrocubanismo Live! Is the album that features Irakere that Renato played on. There are also some clinics from Banff where Renato performed with the percussion section.
The Ruben Blades tour that Renato played on was for the Mundo album.
The sax player Antonio Hart wrote a song called "Forward Motion" that featured Renato on percussion.
