Welcome to our inaugural Conga Chops Masterclass! We have the privilege of interviewing and learning from one of the true masters and living legends of Latin Percussion, none other than Marc Quiñones. Marc has an extensive list of performing and recording credits spanning more than four decades that includes supergroups like the Allman Brothers, Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald, to some of the biggest stars in the Latin Music world including but not limited to Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Marc Anthony, Tito Nieves, La India, DLG, and many, many more. He is one the pioneers of the Modern Salsa sound and conceptual approach of playing percussion, along with only a handful of peers from his generation.

In the Interview section we’ll get to know Marc’s roots, influences and beginnings playing congas as a youngster in the Bronx, all the way through some amazing anecdotes of his time on the road, as well in the studio working with an actual who’s who of Latin music.

In the second section, dedicated to Marc’s unique approach to playing congas in the modern salsa style, we’ll get a chance to pick his brain and analyze a recording that features him on conga, bongó , and timbales. We’ll also get some insight on why the conga is the foundation and backbone of the rhythm section in Salsa music.

Lastly we’ll get a chance to be the first ever audience to not only witness Marc’s creative process step-by-step in the studio, but also ask him to clue us on the how’s and why’s as lays down some seriously grooving and sophisticated parts on an unreleased, percussion-less track by young musical phenom, Jeremy Bosch of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. This is something I’ve dreamed about since I first started studying Marc in-depth over a decade ago. It’s truly a privilege to be able to watch a master at his craft, who willingly shares his knowledge and expertise with us in the Masterclass.

Now this goes almost without saying, but you’ll be able to comprehend, digest, and apply what we cover in the Masterclass much more adeptly once you’ve had some time to master the material in our Conga, Bongó, and Timbal 101 and Fundamentals Courses. Additionally the tumbao variations we cover step-by-step in the Conga Quick-Tip Lesson series will truly help you understand the patterns being played, and allow you appreciate the nuances in Marc’s masterful conga playing.

Sit back, and get ready to take some notes, because we’re about to get taken to school by a living legend. Enjoy!

MARC ON BONGÓ

MARC ON TIMBAL