Australia's Conga Queen: Bernadette
interview by Bobby Ramirez

When one thinks of different sports, the first thing that comes to mind are those popular games that dominate the media, attract the mega sponsors, fill whole arenas with fans, etc. Sports like Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, Golf and others have one thing in common: there's all dominated by men. Of course, some of these sports are practiced by women. But, none have women and men practicing in the same turf together. Just the thought of one or two women as part of a Soccer roster may be enough to drive some fans crazy.

However, in music, the battle of the sexes is leveled. Although rightly thought that music is an art-form, not a sport, there are many similarities in terms of physical endurance and mental training. And whether you're a male or female, the road to becoming a prolific musician is technically no harder for a male or a female. Both sexes have the ability to dominate their instruments and take it to the highest level. Today, more and more women are coming out as musical leaders in their own right.

One such extraordinary musician is Australia's first lady of world percussion instruments, Bernadette. Born in Melbourne, Australia, Bernadette was inspired by music at an early age. When it comes to Latin music, she is known for her energetic solo phrasing and melodic hooks that draw from her clarinet and violin studies. In addition to Latin, Bernadette draws from her tap dancing training and experience to inject rhythmic fire into Afro Cuban, West African and Middle Eastern drumming. For more on Benadette, visit her website at: CongaQueen.com

How did you first become interested in the conga drums?
I don't come from a musical or Latin background. I think the interest combined from a lot of separate ingredients. When I was a kid I'd tap out polyrhythms on the pots and pans in the kitchen or the arms of sofas. Years before playing, I began listening to other music genres, especially African. Later on, I saw a Latin band and visualised myself playing the congas.

As you progressed on your instrument, what was the most challenging thing for you to learn on the congas?
Developing melodic phrasing over more that two congas and 3-way independence
with a foot clave.

Who are some of your musical heroes in Latin music?
Giovanni Hidalgo, Patato (for his melodic playing) Airto Moreira, Cachao, Lazaro
Galarraga (for his voice), Luis Contes and Changuito.

How is the Latin Jazz scene in Australia?
It's small and insular. Melbourne (where I live), in the south east of the country has the strongest music scene, but it isn't very big by American standards. The music scene in Sydney is smaller. The broader Jazz scene is quite diverse. Unfortunately, the number of venues that want music other than 4-chord rock are few and far between. There were only a couple of Latin bands in Melbourne in the eighties, and it has grown from there. The world music scene in general is highly un-developed. There is no distinct Latin Jazz scene; there are musicians that sit in either the jazz or tropical dance camps, which has become more popular.

What is the most important thing for you as an artist when you're on stage
performing?
Keeping a solid groove and tempo.

What are some of your goals in music?
Further study in folkloric styles such as Bata.

There are not many women percussionists in Latin music, much less in Latin Jazz. What is your opinion on that?
Men generally dominate all styles of music. I have experienced many things being a woman performing in Latin music styles. The first thing is that most of the time people don't think I can play until they hear me. Men and women both normally appear to think that I'm the singer or a dancer, then when they find out I'm the percussionist, they doubt my ability. Even after seeing me play, some people are still difficult because the idea of a female percussionist intrudes on their comfort zone and threatens their view of the world. It differs due to the environment, the audience, and the type of music. I have experienced sexism and obscenities from audience members and musicians alike. I continue to be passionate about what I do. I hope the attitudes of both genders change.

What other things do you enjoy doing besides music?
Mosaics, tap dance, writing poetry, gardening and bushwalking.

List ten (10) of your all-time favourite Latin music recordings?
In no particular order:
1 New Arrival - Tito Puente
2 A Gozar El Tumbao - Orlando Cachito Lopez
3 Descarga en Faux - Patato (Congas)
4 Desde el Fondo del Rio - Patato (Congas)
5 Oguerre - Patato (Congas)
6 Son de Patato - Patato (Congas)
7 Chucho - Bobby Martos
8 Blue - Dave Samuels Caribbean Jazz Project - Robert Quintero (Congas & Perc.)
9 Birds of a Feather - Dave Samuels Caribbean Jazz Project - Robert Quintero
(Congas & Perc.)
10 Manteca - Dizzy Gillespie

What inspires you most as an artist?
The abilities of masters. Hearing what might be a simple tune or rhythm
communicated with such control and mastery of ones talents.

Is there a special message to fans of your music?
I hope to keep learning and seeking out the true essence of the music. I find the cliché: "The more you learn, the less you know" holds true. Things that appear simple can have an inner working so complex it takes such a deep understanding of many other things to comprehend fully.

Yours-in-clave,
Bernadette