Since their beginning in 1956 as well as being one of the most important Cuban bands, Orquesta Revé has qualified as Cuba’s most important musical school place where many of the country’s top musicians from bands such as Los Van Van, Los Dan Den and Los 440, began their artistic careers. Now led by Elio Revé Jr, and with an extensive international touring schedule, the legendary band have recorded their long awaited and exclusive album for Tumi Music which presents the rhythm of Chagüí in a new and exciting form.
Elio Reve Senior was Born in Guantanamo in 1930. From a very early age he played quinto and bombo drum at the carnivals in Santiago and Guantanamo. He soon became a great rumba musician, a qualified dancer of the French tumba and a true master and revolutionary of changüi. In 1955 he left for Havana and began working with several bands until in 1956 he formed Orquesta Reve. He was the first to use the five-key timbal, one of the first to incorporate the trombone sound into an orchestra, he experimented by bringing in the batá drums into popular music and he created a unique sound when he played the timbales. These musical achievements earned his band the title of “Orquesta Padre” or “Father of all Orchestras” and through his accomplishments directing and heading Orquesta Revé, Elio became known as “El Padre de la Salsa” or The Father of Salsa.
In 1997, the legendary and innovative musical director Elio Revé was killed in a freak road accident. His musical legacy fortunately lives on through his son, Elio Revé Jr. who has, since his very first steps as a professional pianist, been a key element in his father’s band Orquesta Revémore commonly known as El Charangón. Tumi Music signed Elio Revé y su Charangón in 1999.
Discography:
De Nuevo con La Reve (Egrem, 1987)
Que Cuento Es Ese… (Areito, 1988)
La Explosión del momento (Real World Records, 1989)
Mi Salsa Tiene Sandunga (Areito, 1991)
Papá Elegua (Egrem, 1993)
Elio Revé y su Charangón vol 1 & 2 (Caribe Productions, 1994)
Changüi En La Casa De Nora (Tumi Music, 2000)
Changüi Homenaje – 45 Años (Tumi Music, 2003)
¿De Qué Estamos Hablando? (Artex, 2010)
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.
