The first Natal products were conceived in 1958. At this time the founder of the company, Alan Sharp, was an aspiring British percussionist who was unable to obtain the instruments that he wanted any other way than commissioning their component parts from small manufacturing companies and assembling them himself. This soon led to orders from other percussionists and latterly Alan’s protégés. Alan has forthright views and is committed to Afro- Cuban drumming. He considers the term Latin Percussion to be misleading, preferring Afro- Cuban as more descriptive and accurate of the genre. He is committed to the art of playing and states “a true conga player will only emerge and justify his title, if he has inspiration from the heart”
In 1965 the Natal Percussion Company was formally launched, based in ‘Swinging 60’s London’ which was enjoying a huge growth in all types of contemporary music. The Natal Company went through huge growth in its sales of fibreglass congas. Fibreglass being the choice for its better projection and volume (it was still some years before the PA system was refined ... ) Natal came to be seen on stages with bands such as Santana, Osibisa, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones and T. Rex (then still Tyrannosaurus Rex!)
Sales were now spreading throughout Europe with large numbers of congas going to France, Germany and Holland, and even to New Zealand and Australia. In 1972 Natal was being distributed world wide by Boosey & Hawkes. Such was Natal’s popularity that one of the export agreements was to ship Natal Congas to the inspirational home of drumming, Africa! In the ‘70’s while running the company, Alan was also a member of one of the most respected UK funk acts at the time, Gonzales.
After years of manufacturing, eventually Alan yearned to spend more time on the study and development of his playing. Control of the company at that time passed to a friend and one time pupil, Steve Mutter, in order for Alan to spend time in Cuba working with local musicians.
In the early 1990’s changes in musical styles meant that the time was right to enter a new phase in Natal’s history, Steve Mutter, already a very qualified engineer and skilled craftsman (not to mention a sought after percussionist himself!) together with a graduate from Parnham House in Beaminster, England – one of the most prestigious wood craft centres in the UK, designed and manufactured the first wooden Natal congas. These are now the Fusion range.
The development of the congas spans many years and many countries. The name Congas comes from the Congolese origin of what are actually Afro-Cuban drums. The lowest is known as the Tumba or Tumbadora. It is also referred to as the Banjo or Bass. The middle drum is usually known as a Conga but is also known as the Segunda (second). The high solo drum, the Quinto, gets its name from the Requinto, a high pitched clarinet originally in military bands or the solo guitar in Spanish trios. We also manufacture the Super Tumba which is used commonly in Cuban music.
But there are no rules in what you use where or when – the percussionist is the true free spirit in music. We are playing an instrument that goes back to the dawn of time and we will constantly refine and develop the sounds and the styles, as music continues to evolve...
12/08/2010
Ian Matthews - KASABIAN
Come and see our newest artist perform at this years London Drums Show. Ian Matthews from Kasabian...
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20/07/2010
Q Magazine Competition
Win yourselves a superb pair of Natal Classic Congas in next months Q Magazine. The August Issue is about...
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20/07/2010
London Drum Show
Natal Drums and Percussion will be exhibiting at this years London Drum Show on September 4th and 5th at...
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17/05/2010
Progress Music Academy
Natal Drums & Percussion are proud to be supporting Birmingham's newest music academy! Progress will be...
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