Along with mouthwatering vocalist Vera Westera, Penguins Too is currently working on their own version of the legendary Pink Floyd album "Wish You Were Here" for concerts to be performed 2023-2024. The three meet regularly in Beek to explore what could be a great rendition of this wonderful music. Rehearsals are in development, keep an eye on our calendar!
¡Oye Mambo!
We are exploring the music of the great Puerto Rican pianist Noro Morales with a new quintet. In this new group Michiel performs together with double bassist Gerard Schoren and no less than three wonderful percussion players: Martin Gort, Vera and André Groen. Pianist, bandleader, arranger and composer Norosbaldo “Noro” Morales Sanabia was one of the best pianists in Afro-Antillean Latin music of the 20th Century. Equally adept at playing hot up-tempo rhythmic mambos, guarachas, cha cha chas and the like, Noro Morales could also play slower, more romantic modes like bolero, tango and danzón. Although he didn’t feel confident playing jazz, his piano playing had an innate sense of swing and playfulness, and he was certainly adept at creating variations on a theme or improvising on a melody over rhythm, and was an orchestra leader of exceptional talent, making him what some called “The Duke Ellington of Latin Music.” He was extremely successful during the mid-point of his career, but health issues took their toll, ending his life before he could really see his influence on the next generation during the salsa boom. Much of Noro Morales’ wonderful repertoire is now being recreated by this quintet. Rehearsals started, stay tuned! To be booked for the 2023-2024 season.
Musicians
Michiel Braam piano, Gerard Schoren double bass, voice, Martin Gort congas, Vera Groen timbales, André Groen bongos