Sweet set of Sonoc Bongo from Cuba for sale

City Lights Bookstore hosts Carlos Aldama book reading by Dr. Umi Vaughn

One of the local AfroCuban communities brightest young starts, Dr. Umi Vaughn, will share his academic literary work, reading from his book about the life of Maestro Carlos Aldama: Carlos Aldama's life in Bata: Cuba, Diaspora, and the Drum.

Umi is the definition of an over achiever.. the cat is a legitimate scholar of Ethno-Musicology and Cultural Anthropology, getting his doctorate at the University of Michigan in 2008. He must have been no more than 25 at the time. 

I know Umi as a world class father, taking his young son out and into the community..  to dance classes, Bembe's and the like. to make sure he knows the tradition from deep within his soul. 

If fortune smiles on us, Umi will be one of the best religious singers of our time, here in the bay. I am so thankful to witness. 

On June 20th, Dr. Vaughn's will be at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco to read from his latest work - a book filled with Academic insight, and loving respect for the Grand Afrocuban Religious Master, Carlos Aldama Perez.

Those in attendance will be trilled to see Carlos perform at various moments in the book reading presentation. I believe the event is free.  

Carlos is a living treasure, as many of you know. He is one of the most, if not the most senior Cuban Folklorist alive today. 

It is not often that a leader embodies all the attributes one looks to follow. After knowing Carlos for many years now, and literally watching every move he makes when we are together.. I can tell you: There are few people you will ever meet that are so worthy of respect. 

I am happy to write on and on about the Grand Maestro, but I'll leave that to the more qualified:

Who: Carlos Aldama with Umi Vaughan

What: An evening of Music, Storytelling, and Discussion

Where: City Lights Bookstore, 261 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, California

When: Wednesday, June 20, 2012, 7:00 P.M.

"Afro-Cuban master drummer Carlos Aldama will appear at City Lights with his student and co-author, Umi Vaughan, to celebrate the release of their collaborative book Carlos Aldama's Life in Bata: Cuba, Diaspora, and the Drum.

Dr. Vaughan will present the book, which follows Carlos' life from Havana to the East Bay and documents his experiences becoming and living as omo Añá : one sworn to drum. Readings and anecdotes will alternate with performances from the sacred repertoire of the bata drums by Carlos with accompanists."

http://hcom.csumb.edu/people/umi-vaughan
http://umiart.com