A Midnight Serenade

Music from the Dominican Republic

1   |   2   |   Page 3

Author's Recommendations

Music from the Dominican Republic:
Vol. 1, The Island of Quisqueya

Nicolás Gutiérrez, also known as "Mano Bruja" (witch hand) for his rapid technique, here plays the traditional merengue "Las mujeres son el consuelo de los hombres" with a perico ripiao trio. My friend Chiqui sounded much like this at the Moca birthday party. Like Chiqui, Nicolás has since moved to New York City, and there they both play for the large Dominican immigrant community.

La India Canela:
"La Cuestión" (The Thing)

This song in the syncopated pambiche rhythm was made famous by Tatico. Here La India played it a cuarteto, or in quartet, in which an electric bass is added to the traditional trio. In the past, the role of bass might have been filled by a marimba, or bass thumb piano.

Quisqueya en el Hudson:
Dominican Music in New York

Franklyn Hernández y su Típican Brothers play "Homenaje a la Familia Checo." Franklyn is one of many Dominicans who started performing típico after moving to the Big Apple, where the music serves a nostalgic function. This homage to a Brooklyn bodega owner is a reminder of the important role patrons like the Moca businessman I describe continue to play in merengue típico.

1   |   2   |   Page 3