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Calaven

About Me

Carlos Rafael Perdomo Yanez, mejor conocido como el “Negrito Calaven” o simplemente “Calaven”, nace en Caracas el 29 de Febrero de 1940. El segundo de nueve hermanos, Calaven demostro un gran talento musical a muy temprana edad. Se inicia en la musica junto a sus amigos de infancia en el barrio “Tiro al Blanco” en Caracas, entre ellos el timbalero Rudy Regalado (residenciado en Los Angeles, USA), y el percusionista Roberto Monserrat, director musical y timbalero de “Federico y su Combo Latino”. Precisamente con Federico fue que Calaven alcanzo gran popularidad a mediados de la decada de los 60’, haciendo numerosas presentaciones en vivo y en television en Venezuela, Curazao y Colombia.Calaven poseia un estilo muy personal, influenciado por el liricismo del gran cantante cubano Francisco Fellove y el vibrato de Vicentico Valdez, dos de sus cantantes favoritos. Su estilo tambien se caracterizaba por el uso del “scat-singing”, utilizando polirritmias avanzadas semejantes a la usadas en la musica Africana Occidental, en lugar de los convencionales soneos. El estilo progresivo de Calaven posee una gran diversidad ritmica y puede ser reconocido instantaneamente, lo que lo llevo a ser calificado de innovativo y genial por unos y de radical e inusual por otros.Calaven realizo sus primeras grabaciones con "Anguera y sus Muchachos". Participo tambien en las agrupaciones “Los Kenya”, “Los Calvos” y “Los Dementes” dirigidos por el pianista Ray Perez, “Pipo y sus Estrellas”, la orquesta "Los Caciques" dirigida por Leonardo Pedroza y “Las Estrellas Latinas” junto a Canelita Medina, Joe Ruiz y Carlin Rodriguez. En 1981 grabo con el pianista Jesus “Chuito” Narvaez la produccion “Calaven y Yo”.Calaven fallecio en Caracas el 03 de Mayo del 2003, dos anos despues de haber sufrido un aneurismo cerebral. Aunque nunca recibio el reconocimiento que se merecia, es indudable su gran aporte al genero de la salsa en Venezuela, como lo demuestran las grabaciones que nos dejo, que aunque no numerosas son un testamento a su gran talento. I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4

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Member Since: 13/12/2006
Influences: Carlos Rafael Perdomo Yanez, better known as “El Negrito Calaven” or simply “Calaven”, was born in Caracas, Venezuela on February 29th, 1940. The second of nine siblings, Calaven showed a very early musical talent. He got his start in music with his childhood friends, among them percussionists Rudy Regalado and Roberto Monserrat. The later became the musical director and timbale player for “Federico y su Combo Latino”, and it was with this band that Calaven got a lot of exposure and became a popular figure in the late 60’s. With Federico, he made numerous live and TV appearances in Venezuela, Curazao and Colombia, as well as a bunch of studio recordings.Calaven possessed a very personal style, influenced by the lyricism of the legendary Cuban singer Francisco Fellove, and the vibrato from another Cuban extraordinaire, Vicentico Valdez, who was known for his bolero singing. Another characteristic of his style was his particular “Scat Singing”, where he used advance polyrhythmic motives like those used in West African music, in place of the more conventional “soneo”. Calaven’s daring and progressive style was rich in rhythm and could be recognized immediately, thus being described as exceptional and innovative by some, and radical and unusual by others.He made his first recordings with “Anguera y sus Muchachos”. Aside from “Federico y su Combo Latino” he also performed with “Los Kenya”, “Los Calvos” and “Los Dementes” all three groups directed by pianist Ray Perez, “Pipo y sus Estrellas”, Orquesta “Los Caciques” directed by Leonardo Pedroza and “Las Estrellas Latinas” with singers Canelita Medina, Joe Ruiz and Carlin Rodriguez. In 1981 he recorded “Calaven y Yo” with pianist Jesus “Chuito” Narvaez.Calaven passed away in Caracas on May 03rd, 2003, two years after suffering a brain aneurism. He never got the recognition that he deserved, but he made an immense contribution to the Salsa movement in Venezuela as sonero, innovator and entertainer. Although his recordings are few, they are indeed a testament to his great talent.
Record Label: Unsigned

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