(Prensa Latina – Cumbancha) Cubans, Mexicans, Colombians, Panamanians and
many others have danced for 40 years to the beat of the Original de Manzanillo
orchestra, never thinking how difficult it is to reach fame and maintain it,
away from the capital of the country. But this "charanga" orchestra has proved
that there are exceptions to the rule. Its director, Wilfredo (Pachy) Naranjo,
is a self-taught musician who has placed the orchestra among the stars of Cuban
dance music, one of the strongest artistic tendencies in the world. The key to
success has been the honesty and braveness with which Original de Manzanillo has
defended its commitment, based on creative fidelity to the eastern variants of
Cuban "Son", rigor to choose the musicians and the repertoire, and love for good music.That is how they acquired a unique sonority, without excluding the
influence of the so-called oriental organ and other formats, and conquered, with
elegance and good taste, the title of family orchestra, because they amuse
children, youths and adults. The secret to have so many fans lies in the fact
that they also play for those who cannot dance; that permanent "tumbao" of
Original de Manzanillo helps follow the beat, in addition to saying where it
comes from. Original de Manzanillo, which debuted professionally on December 21,
1963, has been loyal to the roots of Cuban popular dance music and has earned
international recognition.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
