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Giovanni Hidalgo

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Giovanni Hidalgo "Mañenguito" (born March 9, 1963) is an educator and percussionist associated with Latin jazz.

Early years

Hidalgo was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he received his primary education. His grandfather had also been a musician as well as his father, José Manuel Hidalgo "Mañengue", who was a renowned conga player. Therefore, Hidalgo was raised in a household surrounded by drums, bongos, congas and timbales.[1] He received a conga for his eighth birthday which had been handmade by his father. As a young child he practiced and developed his speed and playing skills on the conga and on the other instruments in his house. Hidalgo would drum a tune with sticks and then play the same tune with his hands. [2]

Musical career

Hidalgo auditioned and was hired by the Batacumbele Band in 1980. In 1981, he traveled with the band to Cuba where he met a musician by the name of José Luis Quintana "Changuito". Together they were able to create a unique style of rhythm and ushered in a new musical era in Latin music.[1][2]

In 1985, Hidalgo was performing with Eddie Palmieri at The Village Gate in New York City, when the legendary jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie walked in and listened to Hidalgo play. He was so impressed with Hidalgo that he told him that someday in the future they must get together and play—this happened in 1988 when Hidalgo joined the Dizzy Gillespie United Nations Jazz Orchestra.[1]

First recording

In 1992, he released his first album titled Villa Hidalgo and that same year he was hired as an adjunct professor at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. There he taught all types of rhythms; Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, reggae, African and jazz. He believed that every country has their own musical style and his objective was to capture the musical essence of these cultures. He held this academic position until 1996, when he decided to continue performing on tours.

Recordings with other musicians

Among the musicians with which Hidalgo has either performed or recorded with are:

In 2001, he recorded Jazz Descargas with the Conga Kings. His most current project is a DVD titled Traveling Through Time.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d Drummer World
  2. ^ a b Congahead interview


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