El Casino De Los Congos

El Casino De Los Congos For hundreds of years, hundreds of thousands of Africans were sold as slaves to Portugal, Britain, US, Brazil, Spain, and Cuba, as well as other countries. The Portuguese began bringing Africans to Cuba and then the Spaniards followed. By the 1800’s millions of Africans had been sold around the world.

This is the story of Ta Gundo Paredes Moré, son of a King in the Congo. Prince Ta Gundo is captured by slave traders and sold to Ramon Paredes, a plantation owner in Cuba and sold a second time to El Conde de Moré.

The story reveals what appears to be a curse, is only the beginning for what sets the stage for a Cuban musical legend to be born, Benny Moré who is revered to this day as El Bárbaro del Ritmo.  The master of most Cuban popular genres, such as the bolero, son montuno, mambo, and guaracha.

Our guest, his grandson Dr. Roly Moré narrates intimate stories never told before about his family’s history.


Benny Moré Cuban Icon and Jon Secada’s Music CD controversy


Benny Moré Cuban Icon and Jon Secada’s Music CD controversy

Bartolomé Maximiliano Moré (24 August 1919 – 19 February 1963), known as Benny Moré, was a Cuban singer, bandleader and songwriter. With his fluid tenor voice he triumphantly won the title of  El Bárbaro del Ritmo, and  El Sonero Mayor. With his grace, Moré eloquently merged musical genres such as the bolero, mambo, cha cha cha, son, guaracha, and son montuno.  Benny was an engenious singer and composer, he is considered one of the most influential musician and popular singer Cuba has ever produced.

Roly More, MD “PhD” his prodigious grandson who lives in the USA pays tribute to his ancestry and  Benny Moré’s Anniversary. 

We will discuss the recent jon secada’s CD release paying tribute to Benny Moré.