Where did the Cajon suddenly spring from?

[A Lark Ascending]

Never noticed these before but they were all over the Sidmouth Folk Festival last month. Can't work out if they are a way of allowing the musically hopeless to join in or a rootsy involver like the tea chest bass in Skiffle that might lead on to greater things on other instruments.

Can't say I've seen them in jazz (yet) and I'm not aware of a concerto.

Explained here:

http://www.thecajondrumshop.com/index.php?page=What-Is-A-Cajon

[Head Man]

Oh, I thought it was the brand-name for the shoes he was wearing.....

[A Lark Ascending]

Here's a Cajon solo:

Seems to be impersonating a drum machine. Wonder if it's come out of that culture. Preparing for the forthcoming power cuts.

[mikeweil]

The Cajón was developped in Peru by drummers of African descent, probably in the 18th century or even earlier - at least it was in Peru where it was first used regularly as a percussion instrument, with a technique similar to that applied on hand drums like bongos or congas. There are similar boxes used in Mexico and particularly in Cuba where there is a tradition of cajón de rumba, with different sizes like the tumbadoras. Mongo Santamaria used one as a solo instrument on his early Fantasy albums.

Whether the Cuban and Mexican cajones were inspired by the Peruvian instruments is unknown, it could as well be invented out of necessity when there were no drums available or prohibited (as Europeans knew Africans could communicate with drums but didn't understand how). I have seen conga drums with a plywood head tacked on because there was a lack of animal hide - my conga drum maker made me one long before these were popular, and it sounds great.

The Cajón rose to new popularity when Paco de Lucia introduced it to Flamenco musicians after hearing it when passing through Peru on a South American tour - it was better suited to accompanying Flamenco because of its dry sound. Since then it became more and more popular as it has a similar sound texture to a drum set, eventually expanded by accessory equipment, and its playing technique is not as intricate as that of congas or bongos. It is easily transported etc. - I have the impression it has become much more popular than all other hand drums. I have a rather large one made a Chilenean luthier specialised on harps - the factory made brands all sound too similar and dry to me. But there are excellent ones made in Spain from a variety of woods with a wide tonal palette - problem is you do not hear much of these subtle differences when they are miked closely or amplified with pickups, as in almost every concert or recording.

This site has an overview: http://www.cajonpercussion.com/

Edited September 15, 2014 by mikeweil

[A Lark Ascending]

Many thanks, Mike.

Longer history than I'd thought. I just don't recall seeing them until this summer.

[Patrick]

Jeff Ballard plays the cajon on "Buleria, Solea y Rumba" from Maria Schneider's Concert in the Garden.

[...recorded 10 years ago, time flies]

[mjazzg]

I've just realised where I've seen one. Orphy Robinson when playing with I can't remember who. It did look like he'd just found a box to sit on in a very crowded Cafe Oto

[sidewinder]

I just don't recall seeing them until this summer.

A Cajon transporter must have become wrecked off the South Devon coast...

[A Lark Ascending]

Jeff Ballard plays the cajon on "Buleria, Solea y Rumba" from Maria Schneider's Concert in the Garden.

[...recorded 10 years ago, time flies]

So I've heard one!

A Cajon transporter must have become wrecked off the South Devon coast...

Ho! Ho! One of the sightings was a famous west country folky bringing out his early teenage son to accompany him on this box. Suspect it was part of the attempt to lure him away from the evils of contemporary pop/rock and into daddy's world.

[colinmce]

It turns up in Kahil El'Zabar's music from time to time.

[CJ Shearn]

Antonio Sanchez plays cajon on "Kin" with the Pat Metheny Unity Group, and I think I've heard a few other instances by other artists in a jazz context.

[gvopedz]

You can see a good demonstration of the cajon in the Alex Acuña DVD "The Rhythm Collector." Acuña is from Peru and has been playing the cajon for close to 50 years now. He is the same Acuña who was part of Weather Report.

http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=7413529&style=movie

[relyles]

Over the summer I was at a Ray Mantilla concert where he performed on cajon. Also, the Afro-Peruvian ensemble features a cajon player.

[gvopedz]

Many musicians who tour Peru perform the cajon on stage during their concerts in Peru. Last November Ringo Starr was in Peru and performed a cajon solo on stage (during the song “You are Mine”). You can see a photo here:

http://elcomercio.pe/luces/musica/ringo-starr-mostro-su-habilidad-cajon-peruano-concierto-lima-noticia-1657678

[seeline]

I think you'll find this is a common addition to many percussionists'/set players' setups these days. Ten years ago, it was "exotic" in jazz (outside of Spain), but cheap cajons have flooded the market since then and are used in school ensembles, etc. today. (Meinl is one of the biggest makers and sellers of what I'll kindly call "entry level" cajons worldwide.)

But I think a lot of people who aren't familiar with Peruvian, Cuban, new flamenco and other musical traditions where cajon is commonly used don't really understand its possibilities and tend to play it strictly as a drumset in a box (not saying there aren't some great, creative players who come from American-style drumset backgrounds, but the Peruvian and other traditions definitely deserve more respect!)

Edited October 5, 2014 by seeline

[Justin V]

I've seen a drummer use a cajon in place of a drum throne behind a traditional kit.

[jazzbo]

KT Tunstall brought a cajon to the pop forefront with her hit "Black Horse and Cherry Tree" from her debut album ten years ago.

Edited October 5, 2014 by jazzbo

[seeline]

I've seen a drummer use a cajon in place of a drum throne behind a traditional kit.

a lot of people do that today, yes.

Edited October 8, 2014 by seeline