Anga Diaz

Miguel Angá Díaz (congas, percussion, composer, arranger)
1961: born Miguel Aurelio Díaz Zayas in San Juan y Martinez in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, area known for its rumba traditions. Shares the nickname Angá with his father. Began playing prodigiously early.
1971: attends the Escuela Nacional de Arte de Pinar del Rio. Begins formal percussion studies.
1975: scholarship to study classical percussion at the National School of Art in Havana. Joins group Treceto de la ENA on the first day of college, and would perform with them for the remainder of his academic career.
Whilst at college is invited to record some film and TV soundtracks by the pianist Jose Maria Vitier, playing alongside his heroes conga master Tata Güines & drummer Guillermo Barretto.
1978: Treceto de la ENA reform as Bus Trece (Opus 13), finishes college and begins his professional career with the band. Spends 9 years recording and touring internationally with Opus 13.
1987: joins Irakere led by piano maestro Chucho Valdés; pioneers of Latin jazz in Cuba; hugely influential. Perfects his 5 conga technique.
Spends 7 years recording and touring internationally with Irakere.
1994: starts career as freelance solo artist. Records Pasaporte with Tata Güines (wins EGREM Album of the Year in 1995, the equivalent of a Cuban GRAMMY). Teaches master classes, including the Stamford University summer workshops in California, and Banff University in Canada. Sets up second base in Paris, divides time between Cuba and France. Begins working with Steve Coleman experimental US saxophonist.
1996: joins Roy Hargrove acclaimed US trumpeter; at Havana International Jazz Festival Records Habana (GRAMMY winner) with Roy Hargroves Crisol Joins Hargroves touring band. Records A Toda Cuba le Gusta with Juan de Marcos Afro-Cuban All Stars cross generational album of Cubas finest musicians; hugely important in late 90s Cuban music explosion.
1997: records Genesis & The Opening of the Way with Steve Coleman.
1998: on tour in Senegal & India with Coleman; records and performs with local musicians.
1999: records Distinto Differente with Afro-Cuban All Stars, and Records The Sonic Records Language of Myth with Steve Coleman & Five Elements. Produces tuition video Anga Mania! (wins DRUM Magazine Percussion Video of the Year 2000).
2000: records Chanchullo with Rubén González (GRAMMY nominated) Tours with Rubén González Records a lo cubanowith Orishas groundbreaking Cuban hip-hop group;
2001: key figure on Orlando Cachaíto López Cuban bass genius; Buena Vista stalwart hugely experimental album Cachaíto released on World Circuit. Band leader on Cachaítos critically acclaimed tours.
2003: moves to Barcelona Records Buenos Hermanos with Ibrahim Ferrer (GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner) Records Mambo Sinuendo with Ry Cooder & Manuel Galbán (GRAMMY winner).
2004: records Flor De Amor with Omara Portuondo (GRAMMY nominated). Records Buena Vista Social Club Presents with Guajiro Mirabal Touring internationally with Omar Sosa innovative Cuban pianist - as featured soloist.
2005: Echu Mingua released on World Circuit to critical accl.. tours Echu Mingua in summer.
2006: dies at home in Barcelona, August 9th.
By Dave McGuire