Orgullo Taino

Orgullo Taino was founded in January 1999 by Gladys Rodriguez.  Being in the music scene for an indefinite amount of time, we decided to get together to continue bringing our culture, spirit, and folklore; not only to our native Puerto Ricans but also our youth and community regardless of cultural or ethnic background. Orgullo Taino interprets a vast array of different ethnic styles of Afro-Caribbean folk music based upon our legacy and heritage from our African ancestors brought to the American continent against their will, as a result of the slave trade centuries ago, all these styles are preserved almost intact until present day thanks to oral tradition, generation through generation.  Sure there are other “Bomba Y Plena” groups out there, but none can hold a candle to the energy, dynamics and adventurous creative spirit which makes Orgullo Taino. With joyous singing and percolating percussion Orgullo Taino has to be heard to be believed. Orgullo Taino brings a little piece of the Caribbean wherever they touch the “stage”.

Bomba

Our African heritage is present in the form of custom and music, characterized by strong, rhythmic, dance oriented sounds accentuated by heavy percussions and heartfelt singing. The Bomba thrives on complex footwork.  Women dancers lift their dresses to show off their skills as well as the ornate ribbons and lace gracing their underskirts.  Either the women or the men follow the beat of the drums, but often taunt the musicians to keep up with tantalizing original dance routines invented on the spot as they become one with the drum.  Bomba is a spiritual music that empowered the oppressed people for hundreds of years. This music has been brought from Africa to the Western hemisphere and has transformed lives till this day. You can hear and see the influences in every gender of music today.  It is music of belief, language, storytelling, news and celebrations.  With hypnotic music, costumes and customs it’s hard not to recognize the strength of the music and people.

Plena

Plena was born in the working class barrios of Ponce about one hundred years ago. Its origins can be traced back to the changes in Puerto Rican society caused by its transfer from Spanish to United States rule and the abolition of slavery which caused displaced plantation workers to seek economic opportunities in the growing cities of the island.  Plena was known as “el periodico cantado” (the sung newspaper) because it contained stories about the history and everyday life of the people.  Besides having its musical and social roots in our West African heritage, Plena was also influenced by “jibaro” (Spanish-Arabic) music, Native Taino Indians, European style salons and freed slaves who traveled to Puerto Rico from other Caribbean Islands.

Although by the latter part of this century, Plena was primarily heard in folklore and during street protests.  In recent years Puerto Rico and New York have given new life to Plena for today’s generation. When you hear the rhythm of Plena, two favorite things come to mind: the white Panama hat worn typically by men and “Panderos” (tambourines without cymbals), commonly known as handheld drums of different sizes and pitch which together compose the rhythm of Plena. 

For further information contact:

Gladys Rodriguez:
Director 718-521-0051 Cell 718-414-3354

Evelyn Jimenez:
Assistant Director, 347-418-6015

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