Old Salsa masters remind all performers to RELAX and LISTEN

A friend sent me a link to video footage from Candido’s 82nd birthday party at Birdland (2003).

Watching and listening to these old masters of Son - Cuban music, or Salsa - got me to thinking (which is rare on a Sunday!):

... the sense of family on stage and with the audience, creates such a relaxed performance - i really miss that element in much of today’s music. There is so much preoccupation with self gratification, and everyone is in a hurry to prove themselves, there is a tension and uptightness with many performers, generally those that are less succesful - it comes from an insecurity... I miss playing with guys that "get it". Taking the time to tell a (musical) story takes skill and maturity on the player’s part and it flourishes with a patient, and receptive audience..

Here is the link to the performance:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-_r1EvJ6q4&feature=email