Timbales

Calixto Rafael Rivera American

Not on view

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.

Timbales, Calixto Rafael Rivera (American, (Coamo, Puerto Rico 1938-2017 Bronx, New York)), Stainless steel, plastic heads, wood, American

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Timbales, Calixto Rafael Rivera (American, (Coamo, Puerto Rico 1938-2017 Bronx, New York)), Stainless steel, plastic heads, wood, American
Timbales, Calixto Rafael Rivera (American, (Coamo, Puerto Rico 1938-2017 Bronx, New York)), Stainless steel, plastic heads, wood, American

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