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Interview with Wilson "Chembo" Corniel
TP: Congratulations on Portrait in Rhythms. A very impressive debut recording. I understand your CD release party at Satalla (New York) was one of the musical events of the year. My CD release party was one of the highlights of my career. I am grateful to all of my friends and the musicians who participated in the event. TP: You have been on the music scene for quite awhile. Describe the chain of events that led up to your latest project. I have been on the music scene for over 30 years. I have recorded and/or performed with just about everyone in New York (salsa, Latin, jazz, pop, etc). I decided to record an album that shows the different styles I play. Also to capture (on disc) the music I love so much, Latin jazz. TP: What does "Chaworo" mean?Technically, "Chaworo" are the bells that are strapped around
the Batá (Iya) drum (the largest of the three Batá drums). TP: Lets discuss your new recording, Portrait in Rhythms. My new recording features a wide variety of tunes and rhythms (Latin jazz, Bomba, Plena, Danson, Tango, 6/8 Bata toques, straight ahead jazz, R & B, etc). Together, they form a Portrait in Rhythms. TP: Your music has been described as: "New York Latin Jazz, Afro-Caribbean Jazz with nods to Jerry Gonzalez & Fort Apache, Chucho Valdez and Paquito D' Rivera." How do you describe your music?My music is straight up in your face Latin jazz! TP: Why did you choose this particular repertoire?In a nutshell, the repertoire was created by some of the most talented people in the business. Each one of them contributed their soul and imagination to this project. All the musicians are extremely talented and professional. I am grateful to all of them. TP: Would I be correct in saying that the late, great Mongo Santamaria influenced you in some way? Tell me about your homage to Mongo, (titled) Adios Mongo. I met Mongo Santamaria through a close friend (and talented percussionist), Steve Thorton. Steve took me to Mongo's apartment in New York around 1992. I was inspired by Mongo's presence and way of being. Adios Mongo is my way of sending a message to Mongo in the language he understands best - the drum. TP: You assembled an impressive roster of musicians for this recording. Its always a pleasure to see veterans such as the multi-talented Mario Rivera collaborating with young-lions such as saxophonist Ivan Renta. Who are the core members of your band?The core members are: Ivan Renta - saxophone, Vince Cherico - drums, Enrique Hanine - piano, Carlo De-Rosa - bass and myself on congas, Batás and percussion. The personnel may change from time to time, however, this is my working group. TP: Independent recordings seem to be norm these days. What prompted you to create an independent recording?After completing this project I shopped it around to a number of the major record labels. The record companies wouldn't even listen to it. They claimed that they weren't signing any new artists. So, I decided to release the album on my own and I am glad I did. An independent recording requires a lot of hard work, patience, devotion and most of all, money. A lot of musicians are taking the independent route these days. TP: Over the years, the music scene has changed drastically. As an active participant and survivor in the music scene you have witnessed many of the changes first-hand. What is your take on the current music scene? In your opinion, where is the music headed?Things have changed (drastically) since the 1970's. Back then there were plenty of clubs. We were doing doubles and triples nightly. Many of the venues are apprehensive (scared) to feature Latin jazz. Also, the radio stations that used to feature Latin jazz, such as WBGO are disappearing. I am currently focusing on performing abroad to survive. My philosophy is, I will always have hope no matter what. As long as I am strong I know I can't go wrong! TP: Great cover-art! Who painted your portrait on the album cover?The artist that painted my portrait is Raphael Hernández from Puerto Rico and New York City. My daughter Andrea Corniel had a hand in designing the rest of the CD. TP: You teach percussion to students at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music and lead numerous clinics throughout the United States. In addition, you have your own instructional DVD called, "An Introduction to Hand Percussion: Volume 1 (Warner Brothers)." You also endorse a number of percussion instruments (LP, Remo, Instanbul cymbals, etc). Just how do you do it?In short, it has taken me years to get a handle on my career. Somehow, I manage! TP: What is in your CD Player (or portable device) as we speak?Some of the artists that I am currently listening to are: Yoruba Andabo, Ilu Ana, Lázaro Ros, Emiliano Salvador, AfroCuba (Latin jazz group and rumba group), the Chucho Valdés Quartet, Klimax, Chano Dominguez, Susana Baca, Jerry González and the Fort Apache band and Tony Martinez. TP: Where can your recording be purchased?On the web: www.cdbaby.com, www.descarga.com and www.oasissalsero.com (where you can listen to the recording as well) and local record stores.TP: Chembo, thank you for chatting with me and best of luck on your debut recording with Grupo Chaworo.
For
more information about Chembo Corniel visit:
www.chembocorniel.com
Biography -
Wilson "Chembo" Corniel, Jr. was born in
Manhattan on November 22, 1953 of proud Puerto Rican parents. Chembo
was raised in the humble streets of Red Hook, Brooklyn. It was
during these years, as a quick-witted youngster, that he had the
privilege and honor to study with such percussion luminaries as:
Tommy Lopez Sr., "Little Ray" Romero, Louis Bauzo and Cachete
Maldonado. Chembo honed his skills at The Harbor Conservatory for
the Performing Arts in New York, and also at the prestigious La
Escuela Nacional de Arte in Havana, Cuba under the direction of the
great Chucho Valdes. His intense studies with such legends noted
above channeled his energy onto a path where Wilson "Chembo" Corniel
has now created a reputation for himself among musicians and the
public. Today, he is considered as one of the best hard-hitting,
versatile percussionists around.
Chembo has toured with many major artists throughout Europe, Asia, North & South America, and the Caribbean. Television credits include an appearance on the "Bill Cosby Show" and a recurring recording gig on Nickelodeon's children show, "Dora the Explorer". Chembo continues to perform and/or record with many artists of different genres. He is currently concentrating on leading his own Latin Jazz sextet, "Chembo & Grupo Chaworo". This is a well-balanced Latin Jazz group that incorporates many rich traditions, such as writer Aurora Flores states, " a sprinkling of be-bop, a touch of swing with a dollop of bomba, rumba, tango and danza topped with un chin' de charanga."
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