Yoannis Tamayo Castillo
Yoannis Tamayo Castillo
“El rumbero mayor” Interview made in Cuba, July 2007, by Luna
Could you introduce yourself?
My name is Yoannis Tamayo Castillo. When I was young I’ve learnt dancing with my dad, brother and Yanek, we were learning all together. I was so into dancing that I wanted it to become my profession. And currently I am a professional dancer.
When did you start giving classes and performing ?
I started giving classes when I was 17. At the beginning people in the street asked me if I were a teacher, so I taught them. I started just like that, from little things. I first performed in the show when I was 18 with a group of salsa fans, Afterwards I started to work in Casa de la Musica, Casa de la Trova, for the government etc.
Did you have a partner ?
Yes - Miriam (video of Yoannis and Miriam dancing can be found in YouTube). She is a great dancer. She was working with me for a long time and I’ve learnt a lot thanks to her. I guess she is like 44 now, living in Bolivia at present.
Would you like to tell us something about your education in afro ?
When I started to dance, it was salsa, son, traditional dances. Group with which Johnson (talented dancer and teacher from Santiago de Cuba) was dancing, was preparing a show for the Carnaval. I saw them dancing Orishas and Johnson advised me to learn this. I know Johnson for a long time, we lived next to each other, in the same district , we get on well together. I was really keen on afro music. I started visiting Johnson’s group and it is him who taught me basics of afro, who explained me everything. He is the one with who I’ve learnt the religious part of afrocuban dancing. Then I joined the group “19th September” where I’ve learnt from a great dancer- Maricela- and other instructors, for instance Marisoloibi, Dayamilet… Leaving this group I knew tumba francesa, Elegua, Chango, Ogun, Obatala, I’ve learnt vodù, palo, arara, rumba, gaga... lots of things. In my spare time I was alos taking clases at Folkloriko Cutumba, big cultural institute in Santiago. I took part in folklore classes with Maestro Idalberto. I continue to learn every single day, I’m very thankful to everybody who gave me the opportunity to learn all this stuff.
How would you define your current dancing style ?
I would say it’s afro-fusion. Afro, ‘cause our roots are African, more African than Spanish. Fusion, ‘cause since I’ve been dancing my style consists on mixing everything I’m familiar with. Afro with salsa, son, rumba, Yoruba, just how I fell it, it’s my way of seeing things. I believe my style is pretty mine, coming from my body, from my overview of the world. For me salsa is the top – it’s a sauce, you need all the ingredients to make it nice: onions, tomatoes, garlic- just like in the dance. Afro, rumba, Yoruba – I love mixing all of these together. I also like claquettes, hip hip, Columbia, guaguanco, Orishas, Elegua, change, Ogun…
What do you appreciate in teaching ?
These are 2 different things – be a dancer and a teacher. To teach, it is not sufficient to be a good dancer. Contrary is also true. I keep on telling myself that I am very lucky to have capacities in both fields. I prefer giving classes rather than dancing, ‘cause it is my
passion. However I’m not this type of a guy who says in the street – look, it’s my student! I don’t like fuzzing around it. In the street, we’re friends, brothers. In the class we’re teacher and student. All I know, I give. And I learn from my students as well. Each day we learn something new. I like having lot of classes and lot of students. When you’re working hard, you’re opening the door in front of you. I leave in harmony with myself as a person and as a teacher.
You took part in dvds Salsa a la Cubana , could you tell us something about this experience ?
I know Eric Freeman who produced those DVDs. Once when I was dancing in Trova he came to see me telling that he’s preparing some videos and told that he’d like to work with me. He also asked if I knew some people to work on this project as well. So I came with Yanek, Madeleine, Eduardo and his brother and others who were strongly involved in promoting Cuban culture. This is what Eric Freeman was looking for. I guess many people in the entire world saw these DVDs and were happy to see a part of on what we were working at this time.
Could you tell us something about the musicians with who you were working ?
I had a great opportunity that being a dancer I could work with such stars Eliades Ochoa, Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo from Buena Vista Social Club. I had a chace to work with Issac Delgado, director of festival Benny Moré in Cienfuego, with Pupy, also during the festival in Cienfuegos. I was also working with Leo Vera, first singer from Charanga Habanera, with Mongo Rives musician of Isla de Juventud, representing Sucu Sucu, with Pancho Amat "el maestro del tres", with Ismael "Maelo" Rivera and Los Van Van. I was also dancing with Los Jovenes Clasicos del Son, with El Septeto Santiaguero, recognized currently as the best septet. Then, with Familia Valera Miranda, for me the greatest promoters of son in Cuba. And many others… Yes, I was lucky to work with all these great artists.
What do you think about salsa in Europe ?
I think that first salsa country in Europe is Italy; there is a great level of dancing. Then come France and Spain. Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Austria are to be mentioned as well, there are many people who dance really well. But I’m talking about the general level. In France I know people who are producing shows, giving classes and they are really good at it.
Among all the dances you practice, do you have a favorite one ?
Well, there is one who’s above all the others for me. I like salsa, I love rhythms, but all in all is Rumba. This is a dance in which I express myself best. In salsa I mix a bit of rumba, a bit of other things. Son makes me think about aged people dancing. Rumba is in my heart. It is something very special for me. This afrocuban rhythm issued from Matanza got popular in the entire Cuba. It’s a special way of mixing tambours, it’s a game between man and woman in guaguanco, way of showing autumn of life in yambu (history of an old guy dancing with young lady), game between drummers in Columbia to see who’s the best. The rhythm, music, lyrics which are in rumba… Rumba was born in poor districts of Cuba. It’s the rhythm of our ancestors. This is what is the most important to me.
How evolved the way of dancing salsa by Cubans ?
Dancing evolved and it’s normal. Time goes by, we cannot keep on doing same things. There are new horizons opened, new things to learn. It’s an illusion to believe that things are not changing. Currently there is a great level in Cuba. I respect people who are professional dancers and who are also studying. In my opinion dancing changed and is going to change even more.
And what do you think about the fashion of reggaeton ?
Reggeaton is a rhythm who is diffusing a lot. But this is an easy music. I do respect people who sing it but for me it’s an easy music; and dancing is not that difficult. It’s just about moving your body. Difficult is interpreting afro, this requires liberty of movements. This has a reason and this tells a story. Reggaeton does not say anything for me. Salsa is greater. There are amny people who dance reggaeton but there are many salseros as well. Salsa will stay. Reggaeton too… But no matter who can sing reggaeton, to make salsa you gotta be a musician.
Who are your favorites musicians in Salsa ?
There are different ones. To me the greatest Cuban group is Los Van Van. Then Pupy y Los Que Son Son, Manolito Simonet y su trabuco, Adalberto Alvarez, La Reve, Bamboleo, Orlando Valle Maraca. There are many good bands, but these are my favorites.
What are your projects for the upcoming years ?
In the upcoming years I’d like to practice more. There are years to work hard, gain experience and only then move onto another parts. First thing I’d like to do next is have my own dancing school where I could work on everything that afrocuban style means, to share my knowledge with everybody who’d like to join me. I don’t want one to be better than others, I want this place to be full of energy to dance and people who have same passion for dancing as I have. I’d like this to happen in an efficient way, so as everyone works hard to gain the objectives and not waiting for this to drop down from the sky. I’d like to start like that and make it grow step by step. I also have a dream – so as art and dance take people further.