Timbales

Calixto Rafael Rivera

2004 · Stainless steel, plastic heads, wood · Musical Instruments

The timbales are a pair of drums that developed in Cubar around the turn of the twentieth century and became an integral part of charanga ensembles, or dance bands. Ubaldo Nieto was one of the first drummers to use the timbales in the United States and it became an essential instrument in Afro-Cuban and Latin musical genres. Calixto "Cali" Rivera was one of the few people who specialized in hand making timbales and other Latin instruments including congas and bongos. He supplied instruments to many of the leading Latin percussionists of New York including Tito Puente, Eddie Montalvo, and Giovanni Hidalgo. Rivera was especially famous for his cowbells and musicians across the globe ordered custom-made bells from him.

Artist

Calixto Rafael Rivera

Date

2004

Medium

Stainless steel, plastic heads, wood

Culture

American

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Murtogh D. Guinness Bequest, 2005