Los Munequitos de Matanzas: INNVATORS OF RUMBA - Artículo Breve

Latin Beat Magazine, Nov, 2001 by Nelson Rodríguez

With the start of the new millennium, many of our veteran musicians have been celebrating impressive anniversaries, including Willie Rosario, Tommy Olivencia, Larry Harlow, La Sonora Ponceña and Oscar D'Leon. Reaching the half-century career milestone, however, is a rarity left to a chosen few.

One of Cuba's biggest musical institutions and one of the first originators of the rumba were Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, who will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary in 2002 with a special CD production by the label Egrem. The group was originally formed on October 8, 1952, in Barrio La Marina, home of its founder Florencio Calle Peraza (alias Catalino). They were first named Guaguancó Matancero, for the rhythm that best identified them.

The rhythms of rumba consist of three distinctive forms: the yambú, columbia, and the guaguancó, western regional musical styles played mostly in Matanzas and Havana. The original group consisted of Catalino, lead vocalist Esteban Lantri "Saldiguera," and on second voices Hortensio Alfonso "Virulilla" and Juan Mesa. Joining them on percussion were Ernesto Torriente (llamador), Esteban Bacallao (tumbadora), Angel Pellado (cajón and quinto), and Gregorio Díaz (dos golpes).

In 1953, the group recorded their first 78-rpm record for the Puchito label that consisted of the guaguancós Los Beodos (The Drunks) and Los Muñequitos (Little Dolls). Soon thereafter, whenever the group performed in the districts of La Marina and La Habana, the crowds would chant "Los Muñequitos." As the chants became the norm, the group eventually became known as Los Muñequitos de Matanzas.

Rumba, in its true form, starts with the clave, then the addition of three drums or three boxes (mostly in the yambú form), followed by the cata (a wooden tube with a slit that is played with two sticks and provides a constant beat) and the maruga (an iron shaker). Three batá drums (hour-glass shape drums) are also used, but only for religious purposes.

Los Muñequitos de Matanzas' first U.S. tour was in 1992, followed by tours in '96, '98 and now in 2001. Today, the ensemble consists of 16 members with dancers incorporated into the performances. During their six-week stay in Los Angeles in August 2001, the group held approximately 20 workshops and various performances throughout the city. Presently the ensemble is led by percussionist Jesús Alfonso, who has been with the group since 1961, and includes his wife Ana as a vocalist, and son Ivan Alfonso Fernández (Freddy) on cajón and quinto. Also on percussions are Facundo Pelladito and Agustin Díaz Cano. The dancers are under the direction of Diosdado Ramos Cruz.

Oddly enough, the group has onIy recorded seven albums through 1996.

1. El Guaguancó de Matanzas             (Siboney, 1988)
2. Los Muñequitos de Matanzas               (ACE, 1990)
3. Rumba Caliente                       (Qbadisc, 1992)
4. Oyelos de Nuevo                        (Artex, 1993)
5. Real Rumba                           (Corason, 1994)
6. Bacunao                              (Qbadisc, 1995)
7. It Iban Eshu                         (Qbadisc, 1996)