Huracán Candombe

I've taken it for granted that many readers know why I named this blog Huracándombe. Uruguay was placed on my musical map as a student at the Unviersity of Miami, home of the Hurricanes, or huracán in Spanish. Originally I thought it was a clever title for the final piece on my final doctoral recital, but decided it seemed appropriate for the blog.

Ironically, I spend most of my time playing the drums of candombe at Club Huracán in Buceo, one of Montevideo's many neighborhoods. This was not planned. I mentioned the group in an earlier blog, but after spending a lot of time there this weekend, wanted to show some gratitude here.

With most things I do in Montevideo, I feel like I'm working. My plan in the first few months was to hopefully have opportunities to play the drums, and get a feel for learning music that didn't involve a classroom. If I had not met Guillermo Ceballos, the jefe de la cuerda, in August, I'm not sure I'd be playing very often. Even though I would have seen and heard a lot of playing, my ability to recognize detail in the rhythms is due to my experience as a part of the ensemble of drummers in Buceo. I truly believe my improving Spanish is a result of this experience as well. I guess what I'm trying to say, is that while in Buceo, I don't feel constantly reminded that this is a project for a degree. And for me, it really is so much more than that.

At some point I'm going to have to ask how they feel about having an estadounidense participating, but I'm leaving that for later (though am always open to responses). I do always feel welcome though, and that's gone a long way to making my stay here easier. This is after all, the first time I've travelled internationally, and it's a bit more than a vacation. My hope anyway, is that I can somehow show everyone there how much I appreciate their hospitality.

Wanted to write this post though, because I had a really great weekend. Friday I played in Las Piedras, an area just north of Montevideo known for its vineyards. Driving in, it was quite nice to see some open space, and a little less city. We played some drums, and I personally indulged in asado, chorizo, and wine. The bus ride home was surreal, but with the exception of the alcohol, not much different than those bus rides home from high school band competitions (I know for many, even the alcohol here might sound par for the course).

Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays we play. I finally have some video from a rehearsal yesterday (10-28). Hopefully there will be much more. And since I probably haven't said it publicly, to my fellow Huracánes: Gracias por todos!