Conga players perform on a tall, narrow, single-headed Cuban drum of African origin called the Tumbadora, or the Conga as it is internationally known. It is probably derived from the Congolese Makuta drums or Sikulu drums commonly played in Mbanza Ngungu, Congo.
Originally a person who plays tumbadoras is called a "tumbador" but ever since they began using the name "conga", a man who plays conga is called a "conguero" and a woman who plays conga is called "conguera". Other common terms are "timbero" and "timbera", or "rumbero" and "rumbera" if one plays congas in rumba setting.
Although ultimately derived from African drums made from hollowed logs, the Cuban conga can be staved like a barrel, shaped as one solid piece as from a hollowed log. Some are now made from fiberglass or other synthetic materials. Congas were originally made from salvaged barrels.
They were used both in Afro-Caribbean religious music and as the principal instrument in Rumba. Congas are now very common in Latin American music, including salsa music, as well as many other forms of American popular music.
Originally it was played only using one drum; now it is common to see two, three, or four drums. Some congueros such as Giovanni Hidalgo play up to six or seven drums.
Notable conga players include these:
Cuban
- Chano Pozo
- Carlos Vidal Bolado
- Miguelito Valdés
- Jack Costanzo
- Desi Arnaz
- Carlos "Patato" Valdes
- Tata Güines
- Armando Peraza
- Candido Camero
- Barbaro "Jabuco" Vidal Zaldivar
- Modesto Duran
- Julito Collazo
- Luis Miranda
- Ricardo "Papin" Abreu
- Alfredo Abreu
- Luis Abreu
- Jesus Abreu
- Los Papines
- Los Muñequitos de Matanzas
- Mongo Santamaría
- Francisco Aguabella
- Pancho Quinto
- Daniel Ponce
- Pedro Izquierdo - "Pello El Afrokan"
- Sabú Martinez
- Rolando "Rolito" Soto
- Orlando "Mazacote" López
- Jose "Perico" Hernandez
- Jorge "El Niño" Alfonso
- Jose Luis "Changuito" Quintana
- Raul "El Yulo" Cárdenas
- Manuel "Manolo" Labarrera
- Miguel "Angá" Díaz
- Yoruba Andabo
- Juan "Wickly" Nogueras
- Tomasito Cruz
- Humberto "El Nengue" Hernandez
- Long John "Penalty" Oliva
- Sandy Pérez
- Jesus Díaz
- Luis Conte
- Eliel Lazo
- Adel González
- Yusnier Sanchez Bustamante
- Yeraldi Abreu
- Pedrito Martínez
- Roberto Vizcaíno
- Thomas "El Panga" Ramos
- Roman Díaz
- Mauricio Herrera
- Yoel Cuesta Fernández
- Pepe Espinosa
- Madelin Espinosa
- Yoel Del Sol
- Adonis Panter Calderon
- Michael Herrera Perez
- Luis Antonio Chacon "Aspirinas"
- Los Aspirinas
- Duo Peligroso de la Habana
- Yosvany Verdécia Cortés
- Amilkar Peña
- Emilio Camacho
Cuban American
- Michito Sanchez
- Walfredo Reyes, Jr.
- Daniel de los Reyes
- Nino Sanchez
- Ernie Becquer
Puerto Rican
- Rafael Cortijo
- Martin Quiñones
- David "La Mole" Ortiz
- Pequeño Johnny Rivero "Little Johnny"
- Papo Clemente
- Kako Bastar
- Miguel "Pollo" Torres
- Jimmie Morales
- Jose "Mañengue" Hidalgo
- Angel "Cachete" Maldonado
- Giovanni "Mañenguito" Hidalgo
- Eladio Pérez Pérez
- Celso Clemente
- Georgie "El Gigante Verde" Padilla
- Hector "La Mata" Melendez
- Anthony Carrillo
- Paoli Mejias
- Sammy Garcia
- Richie Bastar
- Richie Flores
- David Rosado Cuba
- Tito Degracia
- Javier Oquendo
- Diego Centeno
- Jafet Murguia
- Danny Díaz
- Kenny Melendez
- Jose Febres
- Alexito Lebron
- Giovanni Lugo
- Papo Cadena
- Hector Calderon
- Pedro Conga
- Eliud "Fred Flintstone" Velasquez
Puerto Rican American
- Ray Barretto
- Victor Pantoja
- Eddie Montalvo
- Papo Pepin
- Frankie Malabe
- Tommy Lopez
- Joe Cuba
- Milton Cardona
- Louie Bauzo
- John "Dandy" Rodríguez Jr.
- Jose Madera
- Jose Grajales
- Georgie Delgado
- Jerry Gonzalez
- Ray Mantilla
- Pablito Batista
- Chembo Corniel
- Charlie Santiago
- Bobby Allende
- Marc Quiñones
- Eric Vélez
- Jose "Juicy" Jusino
- Jose "Papo" Rodríguez
- David Romero
- Joey DeLeon
- Eric Piza
- Orlando Vega
- Willie Villegas
- Jose Vasquez Cofresi
- Lenny Castro
- Richie "Gajate" Garcia
- Michael Carabello
- Kevin Ricard
- Johnny Conga
- Robertito Melendez
- Taumbu
- Virgilio Figueroa
- Frank Colón
- Fermin Goytisolo
- Marcel Rodriguez-Lopez
- Roger Dawson
- Angel Rodríguez
- Cristian Rivera
African American
- Willie Bobo
- Bill Fitch
- Papa Dee Allen
- Skip Howlett
- Skip "Brinquito" Burney
- Ron Powell
Mexican-Chicano American
- Max Garduño
- Poncho Sanchez
- Raul Rekow
- Karl Perazzo
- Sheila E
- Ricardo "Tiki" Pasillas
- Marcos Reyes
- Victor Báez
- Fausto Cuevas
- Alfred "Niño" Ortiz
- Javier Navarete
- Paul "Pablito" López
American
- Ricky Carrido
- Shun Bitar
- Safri Duo
- Brian Rosenworcel
- Eddie Guzman
- Hosea "Heartbeat" Williams
- Milton "Go Go Mickey" Freeman
Panamanian American
- Giancarlo Anderson
Chilean American
- Christian Moraga
Mexican
- Charlie Chávez
- Javier Cabanillas
- Silvestre Martínez
Colombian
- Diego Gale
Peruvian
- Alex Acuña
- Jair Sala
- Tito Carrion
Costa Rican
- Ramses Araya
- Cesar Espinoza
Nicaraguan
- Jose "Chepito" Áreas
Venezuelan
- Luisito Quintero
- Roberto Quintero
- Pibo Márquez
- Orlando Poleo
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