Miguel Anga Diaz (15 June 1961 - 9 August 2006), was a Grammy Award winning Cuban percussionist of incredible knowledge and ability. He developed a complete mastery of the congas. With his explosive soloing and inventive five conga patterns, Anga was widely regarded as one of the world's greatest congueros. He was committed to the development of the conga drum, breaking down traditional percussion barriers to perform traditional latin rhythms, jazz, jungle and hip-hop, whilst retaining his distinctly Cuban roots.

Miguel Aurelio Diiaz Zayas was born in San Juan y Martinez in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba, area known for its rumba traditions. Anga is a nickname he shared with his father. He began playing prodigiously early, performing and recording professionally whilst still at college. He made his name as part of the pioneering Latin jazz Grammy award winning group Irakere and it was with them he perfected his five drum technique.

Emerging in the mid-nineties as an independent musician Anga was free to diversify and pursue a variety of different projects. He played with various Cuban artists including The Afro Cuban All Stars, The Buena Vista Social Club, Omar Sosa, Omara Portuonodo and Orishas. He likewise recorded and toured often with international musicians such as Steve Coleman, Baba Sissoko, Rye Cooder, Pascal Coulon, Malik Mezzadri, Buddy Montgomery and John Patitucci.

In 1994 he recorded Pasaporte with Tata Guines, winning in 1995 the 'EGREM Album of the Year' award (the equivalent of a Cuban Grammy). Two years later Anga joins the acclaimed American trumpeter Roy Hargrove with whom he releases the Grammy winning
Cristol Habana. In 2000 he recorded with Ruben Gonzalez the Grammy-nominated Chanchullo and in that same year he collaborated with Pascal Coulon on the CD Arpa Fusion.

Angas musical journey was a personal quest to explore and create new sounds and rhythmic fusions. More than just a performer, Anga further demonstrated his commitment to the development of his instrument by teaching master classes at various schools and universities across North America and Europe. He released Anga Mania!, a tuition video which explained many of his techniques and his philosophy behind playing; it won in 2000 the Percussion Video of Drum Magazine.

In 2005 Anga recorded Echu Mingua and in 2006 he embarked on his world tour by the same name. Miguel Anga Diaz died unexpectedly at his home in Barcelona on 9th August 2006; he was 45.

External links:
Biography on World Circuit
BBC review 'Echu Mingua'
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