Chekere's
I grew up in the mission district area of San Francisco where there was a mixture of ethnical cultures that influenced me very early in age. Some of my childhood heroes were Mongo Santamaria, Patato Valdes,Tito Puente,Francisco Aguabella, Armando Peraza,Ray Barretto,Chano Ponza, Tata Guines, Lazaro Roz. I was very fortunate to be exposed to so many sights, sounds, of various cultures in The Bay Area. The one thing that really captured me was the music!My first Instrument at seven years old of all things was the Accordion, which lasted very shortly! Then at eight years old, I started to play the trumpet with the school band until I was 16. I was in a Band where we played many old school tunes from the day. At this time, I was also taking lessons with playing the Congas. I ended up playing both Instruments in the Band and even played with an Orchestra on a regular basis.
Eventually I started to go to all the Drum Circles, Rumba's, and Bembe's in the Bay Area places like Aquatic Park, Sproul Plaza, Hippie Hill,and Parties to watch,listen and play a little more often. I felt very drawn towards the various poly-rhythms that were being played. It was a great time, met great people, teachers, and made many friends that I’m still in contact with today.
At the same time, I wanted to learn more about Afro Cuban music, which I heard so much of early on in life. In the early 90’s I attended the Afro Cuban Orisha classes given at La Pena Culture Center in Berkley California. Here I learned Songs for the various deities of the Santeria Religion, Guiro/Bembe Style drumming, and Chekere playing. I enjoyed this so much I ended up going to other classes that La Pena offered in Afro Cuban Music for the next 3 years.
I started making Chekere's after my classes at La Pena. I learned how to make them from Guillermo Cespedes who was one of my first teachers. The first time I heard these Instruments being played was absouluting amazing. From that point on I felt that I had to do something with these Instruments. There was something very special about these to me. I was drawn not only for their beauty, but for the sounds they produced when played.
I continue to play and make Chekere’s in my spare time. For more information or custom work please contact me via email or check www.pacificcoastpercussion.com for current info. Thanks, Stan "Cachimbo" of Pacific Coast Percussion.
A special shout to my Teachers & Friends who I have been fortunate to have studied under, (Long John Oliva-RIP, Micheal Spiro, Angel Figueroa,Jesus Diaz, Armando Redon, Antonio ,Ron Leong,Guillermo Cespedes, Bobby Wallace, Robertito Melendez) I learned so much from these guys, THANKS!!!