The Healing Power of San Lazaro

via The Healing Power of San Lazaro – Voodoo Universe

December 17th is the Feast of San Lazaro. This saint is associated with the Orisha Babalu Aye in the La Regla Lucumi (Santeria) tradition. Michael Atwood Mason on the Smithsonian.com blog writes of this king “in the African-inspired religious tradition known as Santería …, Babalú-Ayé is both feared and beloved. Thought to be responsible for bringing epidemics like smallpox, leprosy and AIDS, Babalú-Ayé also cures these diseases. Oricha elders tell of his exile from his homeland with the Lucumí because he spread smallpox among them…. They tell of his journey to the Arará, who were healed by him and ultimately made him their king.”

Babalu Aye is the God of sickness, of infectious disease, and consequently of healing. His name has been translated as the “king who hurts the world.” Babalu Aye is worshiped under many different names. His name is Sonponno among the Yoruba, and Sakpata or Sagbata among the Fon of West Africa. Some believe his name is so sacred it is not to be spoken.

Babalu Aye performs miracles and transformational healings. This video from Yoruba Andabo tells of this Orisha’s great power.

Cuban Rumba will Sing to Fidel Castro for UNESCO Declaration

 

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Matanzas, Cuba, Dec 10 (Prensa Latina) The Rumba, declared by UNESCO as Immaterial World Heritage of the Humanity, will dedicate the celebration for the declaration on December 11th to historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro, said sources today.

During the inter-governmental committee held in Ethiopia, the Rumba, musical rhythm of deep African roots, joined the list of UNESCO Cultural Heritage.

Officials from the Heritage Council of Cuba dedicated this achievement to Fidel Castro for his crucial role for outlining the Cuban cultural policy since the first years of the Revolution, began on January 1st, 1959.

Diosdado Ramos, director of Los Muñequitos, one of the emblematic and oldest groups of Rumba in Matanzas, said ‘we will sing to our Commander and the name of Rumba will shine.’

The ceremony will be held at the Patio Colonial in this city, located 100 kilometers east from Havana, with the presence of groups that will perform during 5 hours on Sunday evening.

via Cuban Rumba will Sing to Fidel Castro for UNESCO Declaration

Africa in the Americas: Tour Group Explores Cuba’s African Roots – NBC News

 

http://www.cubamusic.com/Store/Album/07000340/yoruba-andabo/soy-de-la-tierra-brava 

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Traveling Noire: Cuba Comes ‘Alive’ 3:31
When the United States and Cuba first announced plans to restore diplomatic relations two years ago, Kasara E. Davidson says she and her business partner “hit the ground running” and used their combined 20 years of experience with the island to start Diaspora Enterprise Solutions (DiasporaES).

“It was an opportunity for us to learn Cuba even more and an opportunity for us to share what we know about Cuba with others,” said Davidson, who is the company’s co-owner and managing director.

The East Coast based business creates professional, educational and cultural programs for individuals, groups and organizations in cities around the world.

Since its founding about a year and a half ago, DiasporaES has focused mainly on Cuba— successfully taking several groups to the island under several of 12 permitted categories that have made it easier for more Americans to travel there.

Three backup dancers pose for a photo pose for a shot on their break in Havana, Cuba. Mikhael Simmonds
With the d

via Africa in the Americas: Tour Group Explores Cuba’s African Roots – NBC News

Dominican Merengue, Cuban Rumba Named Cultural Heritages of Humanity – NBC News

 

http://www.cubamusic.com/Store/Album/07000340/yoruba-andabo/soy-de-la-tierra-brava

 

Dominican Merengue, Cuban Rumba Named Cultural Heritages of Humanity
by ERICKA N. HERNANDEZ
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If you love the wonderful beat of merengue music or the sounds of Cuban rumba, you’ll be happy to know they’re considered worldwide cultural treasures.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added both musical genres to their Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.

“Dominican merengue plays an active role in many areas of daily life of the population’s education, social and friendly gatherings, festive events and even political campaigns”, declared UNESCO during its most recent annual meeting, as EFE reports. “Merengue attracts people of different social classes, which helps promote respect and coexistence among individuals, groups and communities,” states UNESCO on its website.

Cuban rumba “evokes a sense of grace, sensuality and joy that aims to connect people, regardless of their social and economic background, gender or ethnicity,” UNESCO states. “The practice of rumba in Cuba has been transmitted over generations by imitation within families and neighborhood.”

World famous merengue artists include Johnny Ventura, Miriam Cruz, Juan Luis Guerra, Los Toros Band and the Queen of Merengue, Milly Quezada.

Rumba artists that have helped established their popularity include Celia Cruz, Alberto Zayas, Carlos “Patato” Veldes, Pancho Quinto and Francisco Aguabella.

Merengue, of Afro-Caribbean origin, became more known after the late Dominican dictator Rafael Trujillo promoted the musical genre around the country.

Rumba, with its rhythmic drumming and elaborate dancing, also traces back to African culture. It developed during the 19th century in cities such as Havana and Matanzas as well as in rural areas where Afro-Cubans lived.

via Dominican Merengue, Cuban Rumba Named Cultural Heritages of Humanity – NBC News

“Yo sigo siendo un cantautor”, dice Yoyo Ibarra – CiberCuba

“Tropical” lo componen diez temas de la autoría de Yoyo Ibarra y hasta el momento están invitados los músicos Pancho Amat, Yoruba Andabo y Cándido Fabré.

via “Yo sigo siendo un cantautor”, dice Yoyo Ibarra – CiberCuba

Rumberos de siete provincias se dan cita en Camagüey

 

 

Camagüey, 8 jun.- Agrupaciones de siete provincias asistirán al II Rumbatéate, evento previsto del 9 al 12 próximos en la ciudad de Camagüey, y concerniente a la rumba, declarada Patrimonio Cultural de la Nación.

En la cita participarán Los Muñequitos de Matanzas -conjunto insigne del referido género-, Silvina Fabars, Premio Nacional de Danza 2014 e integrante del Conjunto Folklórico Nacional de Cuba, Yoruba Andabo, de La Habana, Obbatuké, de Santiago de Cuba, y Rumbatá, de Camagüey.

via Rumberos de siete provincias se dan cita en Camagüey

Noticias de Prensa Latina – Lamentan deceso del rumbero cubano Geovani del Pino

La Habana, 23 may (PL) El movimiento de la rumba cubana lamenta hoy la muerte de Geovani del Pino, fundador y director del grupo Yoruba Andabo.

 

El cantante, percusionista, compositor y productor musical falleció en la madrugada de este domingo a los 74 años de edad a causa de un accidente cerebrovascular.

Genuino artista popular, emergió en los muelles de La Habana en la década de 1960 hasta que el influjo de los cantos y toques de las músicas rituales de origen africano lo conminó a crear Yoruba Andabo en 1985.

Su impronta se extendió a una multipremiada discografía y hasta diversas plazas culturales de Cuba, México, Venezuela, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panamá, España, Estados Unidos, Canadá, Italia, Suiza y Francia.

Reconocido ícono de la tradición rumbera Geovani del Pino contribuyó además al programa de la Ruta de la Rumba y los Festivales Internacionales Timbalaye, organizados con la anuencia de la Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba.

Días atrás, Del Pino y Yoruba Andabo consiguieron el Premio Cubadisco 2016 en la categoría de Música Tradicional Afrocubana por la placa titulada Soy de la tierra brava

via Noticias de Prensa Latina – Lamentan deceso del rumbero cubano Geovani del Pino

Cuban Culture Loses One of its Icons, the Beloved and Respected Geovani Del Pino of Yoruba Andabo — Yoruba Andabo | PRLog

Cuban Culture Loses One of its Icons, the Beloved and Respected Geovani Del Pino of Yoruba Andabo

On Behalf of the Family and Yoruba Andabo’s artists we appreciate the condolences received for our beloved Geovani Del Pino Agradecemos las condolencias recibidas por la despedida de nuestro Geovani del Pino Familiares y Artistas de Yoruba Andabo

via Cuban Culture Loses One of its Icons, the Beloved and Respected Geovani Del Pino of Yoruba Andabo — Yoruba Andabo | PRLog

De luto los tambores cubanos: Falleció Geovani del Pino, rumbero mayor – Cafe Fuerte

Home / Culturales / De luto los tambores cubanos: Falleció Geovani del Pino, rumbero mayor
De luto los tambores cubanos: Falleció Geovani del Pino, rumbero mayor

Posted on 23 mayo, 2016 by Café Fuerte in Culturales, Destacadas, Música

El rumbero Geovani del Pino (1942-2016)
Por Fabián Flores

LA HABANA.-  Cuba perdió este domingo a uno de sus rumberos mayores. Un genuino artista salido de las raíces mismas del barrio, la esquina y los muelles del puerto: Geovani del Pino Rodríguez.

Del Pino falleció la madrugada de este domingo en La Habana, a causa de un accidente cerebrovascular, según anunciaron los medios oficiales. Tenía 74 años y estaba en la plenitud de su carrera musical.

Cantante, percusionista, compositor y director del grupo Yoruba Andabo, Del Pino fue un gran cultor y promotor de la rumba, y acababa de ganar el Premio Cubadisco 2016 al Mejor Album de Música Tradicional Afrocubana con Soy de la tierra brava.

Rumba en el barrio

Nacido en La Habana, en la barriada de Centro Habana, en 1942, Del Pino creció oyendo rumba desde que tuvo uso de razón, en su casa de la calle Salud, entre Oquendo y Soledad. Pura rumba de cajón en el barrio y la esquina que marcó para siempre su vida.

En plena infancia, cuando tenía ocho años, un día los mayores que estaban tocando se levantaron y Del Pino se sentó en el tumbador y fue para siempre, porque nunca más dejó de tocar.

Estudió y laboró como soldador en la Flota Cubana de Pesca en el Puerto de La Habana, donde se incorporó a un grupo aficionado de los muelles que se reunía para tocar en fiestas familiares y eventos sindicales, desde los años 60. El grupo se nombraba Guaguancó Marítimo Portuario, que luego daría origen al mundialmente conocido Yoruba Andabo.

Para Del Pino, su historia como rumbero cambió en 1985, de la mano del trovador Pablo Milanés.

Por entonces había pedido la baja de la Brigada de Reparación de la Flota Cubana de Pesca y se sumó a un encuentro con miembros del Guaguancó Marítimo Portuario en la Peña del Ambia, que organizaba el poeta Eloy Machado en la sede de la Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba (UNEAC). Fue allí donde los descubrió Pablo Milanés y los invitó a que lo acompañaran en un concierto suyo en el teatro Karl Marx.

Comienza la leyenda

Lo demás es historia. El grupo adoptó por nombre Yoruba Andabo y comenzó a tejer una discografía que suma ya una veintena de títulos, colaboraciones con figuras legendarias como Tata Güines, Merceditas Valdés, Celeste Mensdoza y Lázaro Ross, y múltiples presentaciones en escenarios internacionales. Uno de sus momentos de gloria fue la actuación a lleno completo en el Carnegie Hall de Nueva York, el 30 de noviembre del 2012. Los tickets se vendieron a $300 dólares para esta presentación, la primera de un grupo cubano de rumba en esa Meca cultural.

Yoruba Andabo lo alcanzó un premio Grammy Latino por La rumba soy yo, en el 2001. Otros dos de sus títulos fueron nominados al Grammy: Tremenda rumba, en el 2003, y Rumba en La Habana… con Yoruba, en el 2006.

La compañía la integran actualmente 16 artistas (cantantes, percusionistas y bailarines) y cultiva ritmos de raíz africana, fusionándolos con otros géneros musicales. Del Pino fue un gran creador y arreglista del repertorio de la agrupación.

Su labor promocional se extendió a los Festivales Internacionales Timbalaye, efectuados en Roma, así como a la impartición de conferencias y clases magistrales en  universidades e instituciones culturales de Europa y Estados Unidos.

En paz y con mucha rumba descanse, Su Majerstad, Geovani del Pino.

via De luto los tambores cubanos: Falleció Geovani del Pino, rumbero mayor – Cafe Fuerte

Cuban culture loses one of its icons, Giovani Del Pino of Yoruba Andabo

La cultura cubana pierde a uno de sus íconos!

It is with a  heavy heart that Yoruba Andabo announces the following:

 

Geovani Del Pino has passed away, Director of the legendary Company, Yoruba  Andabo.
Singer, percussionist, composer, music producer, arranger and director-founder of the Yoruba Company Andabo
For over 50 years he cultivated the various genres of Afro-Cuban culture. Under his outstanding leadership, Yoruba Andabo has managed to spread their art in important cultural spaces in America and Europe, and create a significant and multi-award winning discography. He has given lectures and master classes at universities and cultural centers.
Yoruba Andabo has its genesis in the docks of Havana Harbor in 1961, when a group of workers met at parties and union artistic events. They gave rise to Guaguancó Maritime Port, whole, in 1985, began professional work with the Yoruba Andabo name.
From that moment, he offered his art in various activities of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), worked with the record label EGREM, initiated by the composer and singer Pablo Milanes, and shared the stage with folk singer Merceditas Valdes.
Currently, the company is made up 15 of artists, including singers, percussionists and dancers. The cast has  grown and performed  dissimilar musical genres that make up the African roots of Cuban culture and including the Congo, Yoruba, Abakuá and called the Rumba, with its traditional rhythms, especially the yambú, guaguancó and columbia cycles. They also include elements of fusion with other musical genres, creating contemporary sounds and voices.
The Yoruba Andabo discography exceeds twenty titles, many of which have won awards nationally and internationally.
They have won a Juno Award, the Canadian equivalent of the American Grammy Award, nominations from the Academy of Music of Spain and a shared award  and two Latin Grammy nominations. In the past, at Cubadisco, won the award for best album of Afro-Cuban music.
The Art of Yoruba Andabo has been appreciated by the demanding public at relevant theaters and places of Canada, USA, Brazil, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Mexico, Spain, Geneva, Paris, London and Carnegie Hall, New York city.
Cuban culture loses one of its icons.