Manana is
an expression in Afro-Cuban rumba (not to be confused with "mañana"). Its etimology is somewhat blurry – Cubans themselves might not agree on one story – but performing “con sentimiento manana” suggests a soulful, expressive, heartfelt, elevated state of heart and mind. I’m a latin percussionist crafting folkloric bongóes hoping that they'd bring the bongosero that exact sensation.
Manana was
the nickname of Agustín Gutiérrez (1900-1983), a legendary Cuban bongosero, rumbero and abakuá. Among other giants of the era – Yeyito, Papa Kila, Chicho, Chino Pozo, the great Mongo, Candido – his musical innovations paved the way towards the modern martillo language of the instrument. Your favorite bongó repiques – most likely these cats came up with them. Pure manana.
Musical instruments
of the Caribbean have gone through a great deal of evolution in the past 70 years, however, every pair of bongóes you may come across are somehow influenced by the '50s masters' blueprints – Gonzalo Vergara, Cándido Requena, Luis Martinez – to mention the most celebrated and innovative. Their work has defined the sound and look with which we associate proper folkloric bongóes with. Only a few artisans keep crafting bongóes "en tradición". My aim is to contribute to folkore.