Jacira:
Welcome to south Florida! Your last album has lots of timba! That makes
me very happy! Could you explain to the SalsaPower
readers just what the difference is between salsa in general and timba?
Issac:
I think the first thing that they should know is that the term "timba"
is a very old term. The real "Timberos" are the rumberos from
yesteryear. The word "timba" comes from the "timbas"
or congas (as they are called today). The person who knows what Rumba
is, in all of its complexity (Yambú, Columbia y Guaguancó),
is a timbero. Also the person who dances it is a timbero.
Salsa and
timba are labels which have been applied intelligently.
When Cuban
musicians back in the 1970's were going to play popular Cuban music,
while studying at the art schools they would go to cubicles at the school
or other venues and they would say they were going to play "timba"....
So, for
me, "timba" is something I carry around inside, when I make
my music, this is something that is implicit. Timba is a feeling, it
is in the Cuban music and for those who are not Cuban ....but feel the
rhythm and sabor.
Jacira:
Timba has been all the rage in Cuba and Europe and other parts of the
world for many years, but here in the US is isn't very well known. Other
Cuban musicians who have stayed here have not managed to have much success
with Timba ...but you are already sharing the stage with various artists
...Could it be that you are the one who actually manages to finally
have success and manages to bring the US Salsa public up to date with
Timba?
Issac: I continue to do my work, trying to evolve and
moulding my feelings. My colleagues who arrived before me are inspiration
a a motive to try to move forward. I am not trying to be the greatest.
There are many timberos with more experience and better prepared than
I am for that. I will try to not let my people in Cuba down, always
working hard and being humble.
Jacira: How can you create a "bridge" to
get to timba from salsa?
Issac:
I just let myself be guided by the music and I respect all that the
creaters of the Salsa genre do. Thanks to them, our Cuban music was
kept alive during the 70s and 80s. The bridge is made by studying, knowing
your roots, and recognizing...
Jacira:
I am very happy to see that you are sharing timba with other artists
such as Víctor Manuelle and Giovanni Hidalgo. Who else have you
collaborated with lately?
Issac:
I have always worked with Venezuelans, Colombians, Peruvians, Americans
and my Cuban family.
Jacira:
With whom would you like to collaborate?
Issac:
With any musician who loves the music and respects differences. I like
to share.
Jacira:
You signed on with a great label (Univisión) and you have Sergio
George as your Producer, let alone having Omer Pardillo as your Manager…
it's a great team and gives us hope that you will be successful. Some
of the songs on your latest album are very melodic, rhythmical, danceable,
others are more traditional, such as the last one, a Changüí.
Who was it that made the decision about which songs would and wouldn't
be included in the CD?
Issac: I showed Sergio more than 25 songs and he chose,
except for the changüí and the Chachachá son.
Jacira: You worked for many years in Cuba with the
same musicians. Now, here, who are the musicians in your new group?
Issac:
There are musicians from Colombia, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Perú,
the US, Perú and from my Cuba ...but all of them feel my music
just the same. The musicians here are itinerant. I'm sure I will work
with many more.
Jacira: Alaín Pérez has worked with you
for a long time. On the last album, did he do the arrangements only
or did he also produce some of it?
Issac:
Alaín is a "monster"! He is my family and I respect
him for his talent. Here he worked as a musician, arranger, composer
and above all as my brother.
Jacira:
The first song on the album "La mujer que más te duele",
was written by Jorge Luis Piloto and Yoel Henríquez.
I know that Jorge Luis has lived in Miami since the 80's and is a prolific
author of many hits, interpreted by many artists. Is Jorge Luis related
somehow to Geraldo Piloto?
Issac: I don't think so.
Jacira: In Cuba, you were one of the few who managed
to have a contract with a US label (RMM) did this cause you any
problems?
Issac:
I don't believe so.
Jacira: Supposedly you had a "battle"
of soneros with El
Canario, ….Now that you are here, ¿are you willing to "battle"
other soneros, and against whom would you battle?
Issac:
The only one I battle against is myself! I don't have to battle anyone.
I believe in peace and friendship. Music is not a competition. It is
the "soul of the people". "Music brings people together"
...even if they are different.
Jacira:
Tell us a secret…. Something that up to now the public did not
know about Issac Delgado!
Issac:
I am 1000% CUBAN and I love all of you!
Jacira: Do you have a message for the SalsaPower
readers around the world?
Issac: Music is good and medicinal ...Enjoy it ..."Don't
get dizzy" ....I love you a lot!
-- El
Chévere ....de la salsa??? De la Timba???...of anything you
want!
Jacira:
Thank you very much and good night!
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Esta página fue actualizada el día
03-Jan-2008
Exclusive
Interview with Issac Delgado!