They're the backbone of the rythmn section, but drummers are often the least recognized member in a band. All they're expected to do is fill in with the beat - and be awake for that usually spectacular solo at the end of the show. But that's not the role cuban belziean carlos perrote wants to play. This drummer and multi instrumentalist will release his first full legnth recording on sunday. Called twin boy - it features 10 original compositions - and this funky drummer - told us how he kept it "wicked":
In a country that loves a s strong backbeat in its music, transplanted Cuban Carlos Perrote is a prized commodity, he's lightning fast on the rhythm sticks.
More than just fast, he may be one of the most instinctual and accomplished drummers Belize has ever seen. But he's an accomplished composer as well, and Perrote has used his skills as a multi-instrumentalist to mix Belizean and Cuban music in sweaty soup of Latin jazz.
"Me try Belizean music and latin jazz, and everybody happy"
But it's not some ponderous fusion experiment this album feeds off a creative synergy - with perrote mixing and matching musical styles freely:
"I have punta, but my punta- I only take off the rhythm, because good rythmn and have some kind the calypso Caribbean music and soca, burkdown"
. And creating this rich ferment are a stellar host of players, including 9 year old Perrote understudy, Tristan Lanza. He's been playing the drums since he was 2 - but despite his prodigious skills - he's modest about the achievement of playing on his first cd. Ask him how he feels about appearing on three of the tracks and you'll get the standard drummer's deadpan:
22:41:26 "well it isn't that bad.."
But Perote is a lot more upbeat - he feels this cd will catch on - even though it bears the imprint of jazz, that four letter word so many Belizean music lovers hate:
"I try do this cd for the people in the country understand what kind of jazz understand what kind of jazz they supped to be listening to, that they'll like. For the country, not for select people, I want everybody try and enjoy this Latin jazz, born in Belize, not born in Cuba."
Perrote will release the cd on Sunday at the Radisson.