Cachimbo are a percussion and vocal group steeped in
the traditional music's of Cuba, Brazil and Puerto Rico. The
music is rhythm based with vocals in Spanish and the African languages of the
Caribbean.
As well as percussion, Cachimbo's
music features the sounds of mandolin and bass. Among the
different styles are Ijexa and Congo from Brazil,
Conga and Orisha from Cuba and Bomba and Plena from Puerto Rico. The
music is performed on a variety of instruments all native to
the Caribbean and Africa such as Conga, Bombo, Shekere,
Guiro and Cajon, which is a wooden box instrument found in
Cuba and Peru. The songs are sung in Spanish and the African
languages of the Caribbean and Latin America.
The 7 musicians that make up the group have a vast amount of
experience in Latin and Afro based music.
James Coogan, John McGovern and Niall Gregory are all past members
of the acclaimed "CEOL BATUCADA".
Percussionist Keith
Kelly is also a well known DJ.
Vocalist/Percussionist Saleh Rifaie has just returned from a tour
of his native Palestine to rejoin the group.
The groups
leader and musical director Niall Gregory spent much of
last year
on tour with the acclaimed
group "DEADCANDANCE" and has performed all over Ireland and the UK with
many diverse acts. Mandolin player Mick Dunne is well
known in the trad. world and is admired for his vast
knowledge and repertoire of tunes. Bass player Neil
Conlon spent the last year touring in Australia but
has returned to add a solid foundation to CACHIMBO'S
funky Latin sound.
The overall sound is
very energetic and uplifting and suits festivals very well.
This is after all carnival music made to dance to!
