Manny Oquendo & LIBRE
February 21, 2010 by Salsa-101
Filed under Off The Wall
It’s the silence between the notes that will set you … LIBRE
PIANO: MARCOS PERSIANI
TROMPETA 
r. ALEX NORIS
CONGA:TONY DE LA ROSA
BAJO ANDY GONZALES
TIMBAL MANNY OQUENDO
GUITARRA GOTAN
CANTANTE FRANQUI VASQUEZ Y JORGE MALDONADO
Flauta: Eddy Zervigon
Trombone: Unkown ?
MANNY OQUENDO
1931 – 2009
For 60 years Manny performed for us the Cuban rhythms he so dearly loved. Always teaching and leading by example . Giving space, encouraging his musicians to experiment, invent and reach out to greater heights. Silence was given equal importance as the notes being played.
Manny’s music legacy will always be available to us, but more importantly….
There’s a saying “One never dies until the last person that knows you dies.” That is why Manny will always live on.
Improvisation
Improvisation, creative activity in the moment. Spontaneous response to other musicians within the unit. To play music from notes written on a sheet of music is one thing. to create music in the moment without the aid of a sheet music is something else completely.
It’s been stated often that classically trained musician are inept at improvising or soloing without the aid of the sheet of music. Not because of their inability but because of their lack of doing so.
The ability to express yourself musically without constraints is what Manny Oquendo offered and encouraged to his musicians and anyone who played with them.
Soloing
The act of soloing, expressing yourself freely outside boundaries but always in tune to what is happening at the moment. Taking everything you’ve learn, practiced, seen and heard, and creating something new out of it, ON THE SPOT !!
The video here is Manny Oquendo and Libre the 2000 at the Mamoncillo annual event in New York City Queens. As often the case Eddy Zervigon joined the group for this number.
The musicians are playing “Suavecito” a Libre standard. Eddy Zervigon in front, is leading the pack with the melody on his five key charanga wooden flute. Manny on the timbales in his usual relaxed manner with Andy Gonzales the keeper of the CLAVE always vigilant of Manny and the rest of the group.
Listen and enjoy as each musician performs their solo and show you what it means to be LIBRE !!
Gracias por la Musica
Salsa-101
