Latin/Afro-Cuban Styles As A Jazz Bassist

[kaybass1952]

I recently attended a great clinic given by Oscar Stagnaro . He has an amazing knowledge of Brazilian ,Cuban and the many other variations of latin styles (He is originallyfrom Peru). He also had an indepth knowledge of the function of ALL the instruments in each style. I think his book would be a great resource.

[Bruce Lindfield]

Originally Posted by jgbass

Great information here!

Can someone clarify how the term "salsa" is used or exactly what it means? Is it a specific or generic term, or can it be used either way? It seems to mean several things and different things to different people. When I think of salsa I think of players like Cecilia Cruz, Willie Colon, Oscar de Leon, the ones mentioned in the previous post. I think of a specific pattern.

A pianist explained the salsa beat to me, but I think he was oversimplifying things. What I am reading here is that salsa consists of many different patterns. Any clarificatin appreciated.

Yup Salsa is not really a term for one style of music as such - it's very generic - like saying "indie rock"...

If you wanted to specify, you would say something like "Cuban Son" or Merengue...?

Originally Posted by kaybass1952

I recently attended a great clinic given by Oscar Stagnaro . He has an amazing knowledge of Brazilian ,Cuban and the many other variations of latin styles (He is originallyfrom Peru). He also had an indepth knowledge of the function of ALL the instruments in each style. I think his book would be a great resource.

Yes I have his book and it is very useful - lots of written lines for all styles - explains everything exactly.

The Latin Bass Book



As a bass player in Afro Cuban - you really need to know what the percussion and piano are doing - it really helps!

[jgbass]

Thanks Bruce! And there's a good article about this on Wikipedia under Salsa music. I think the pianist who showed me a sala line was just speaking in purely commericial terms about pulling this off on a gig. Obviously, much more to this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salsa_(music)

[longfinger]

Originally Posted by jgbass

Great information here!

Can someone clarify how the term "salsa" is used or exactly what it means?

From what I've read and what people tell me, 'Salsa' is the spicy tomato based sauce one uses in latin meal preparation.

In the 60's this term was used to more easily market the 'spicy hot' music coming out of the Caribbean and NYC from Cuban ex-patriots, to the english speaking masses of the USA and UK.

So as written before, it is a generic marketing name like 'Indie Rock'.

Nowadays, people may mean "Play me that music that I can Salsa dance to."

Rebecca Mauleon-Santana has a good book for pianist called '101 Montunos' that gives some history to the terms. The Oscar Stagnaro book listed below is lovely.

[Phil Smith]

The "Latin Bass Book" is a very good book with some great lines you also need to listen to latin dance tunes and play along with them "plus" take same salsa DANCE lessons. The dance lessons will put you in touch with the dancer's perspective as an added bonus you can get a list of all the tunes they play in the class for additional listening material and further discovery. Lastly, take a tune that you know like "Autumn Leaves" and play the tumbao over the changes.

[wdave]

Ever seen a 55 year old Tennessee hillbilly do the "salsa"?

[jgbass]

We do not have many hillbillies in Southern CA, but salsa dancers of all ages. Go for it!

[brianh]

I don't really consider myself strictly a jazz bassist (although that's my background and I play some jazz gigs), but I play a good amount "Latin" gigs. In any major city where there is a Latin population there's probably tons of these gigs, and they usually pay alright too. Plus, just checking the stuff out deepens your overall pocket a lot.