Latin Jazz – The Bembe
Among the many fascinating Latin styles of drumming is one that sticks out because of its time signature. Common to West Africa and Cuba, 6/8 time signature created the bembe tradition of drumming. This Afro-Cuban style was created from religious gatherings and ceremonies.
Although coming from a completely different culture, and from a different region in the world, it became a prevalent ingredient in the American jazz scene through the multicultural epicenter in New Orleans.
Throughout the last century this style has been evident in the evolution of jazz. Today the 6/8 bembe rhythm is heard in many arrangements of standards such as Caravan by Duke Ellington. Art Blakey’s version on the album ‘Caravan’ is a classic interpretation of the bembe style.
The first example is the traditional bembe rhythm for drum set:
NOTE:
Make sure to focus on the bass drum on beat 3. The two triplets starting on the downbeat generally is very challenging. Also make sure the floor tom and the bass drum line up for the last triplet in beat 4.
The next example is a jazz interpretation of the bembe:
