Miguel "Angá" Diaz: Anga Mania!

Miguel "Angá" Diaz (1961-2006) will be remembered as one of the greatest congueros of all time for his remarkable soloing and multiple conga/percussion inventions. Anga Mania! presents the past, present and future of conga playing with the Grammy winning Cuban percussionist of Orlando Cachito Lopez, The Afro-Cuban All-Stars, Ruben Gonzales, Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portundo, Omar Sosa, Orishas, Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Irakere, Danilo Perez and many more.

In this exclusive DVD masterclass, Anga demonstrates many of the systems and forms he uses to develop dexterous patterns, riffs, and solos. Each example is demonstrated in a solo context, then in a duet performance. In the Marcha, Guaguanco, and Soloing sections, Anga reveals his incomparable patterns and variations on five congas. Duet performances with virtuoso Cuban pianist Gabriel Hernandez help illustrate Anga's ideas while he breaks down his soloing phrases, playing each slowly and explaining the origin of each riff.

Anga continues with the Mixing Styles sections, overdubbing three layers of different drumming styles and mixing funk with the Cuban rhythms Pilon and Batumbata. Anga also demonstrates how congas can bring an organic feel to the DJ-based styles in duets with DJ Gilb-R and an improvised trio segment featuring Anga playing his "Set Cubano," mixing congas, bells, and drums with both his hands and feet to create a phenomenal flow of rhythms.