Orlando “Puntilla” Rios was born December 26, 1947 in Havana, Cuba. He was a master batá drummer. Orlando “Puntilla” Rios formed the group Nueva Generación shortly after his arrival in New York in 1981. He did this in order to preserve and present the sacred music and dance of santería and the various secular forms of rumba. Nueva Generación became an important preserver of both sacred and secular Afro-Cuban music, performing across the United States.
The group’s members included Orlando Ríos, Carlos Sanchez, Eddie Rodríguez, Anthony Carrillo, Félix Sanabria, Abraham Rodríguez, Gene Golden, Olufemi Mitchell, Oscar González, Ama McCann and others. These musicians sang, danced and played a variety of drums including the sacred batá drums and chéqueres (large gourd rattles).
Orlando “Puntilla” Rios died on August 12, 2008 in New York City.
Discography:
Spirit Rhythms: Sacred Drumming & Chants from Cuba (Latitudes, 1996)
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.