(Prensa Latina - Cumbancha) Havana, Cuba - The 2003 Drum Festival in this capital opened Wednesday to pay tribute to prominent Cuban percussionist Guillermo Barreto, connected with Benny Moré, Nat King Cole and Chico O'Farril. Cuban musical groups Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Afrocuba and Mezcla, and others, will perform with Jamaicans Luciano and Mickey General, the Canarian orchestra of Moisés González and showman Miguel Esparza also from Spain, announced percussionist Giraldo Piloto, president of the organizing committee.

The Museum of Music will host the Second National Workshop on Organology November 13-14, under the slogan "Bongos in the Cuban Musical Culture." Piloto said that a contest of tumba players, guitarists, bongo players, timba and bata drum players includes 64 Cuban youth. The event closes on November 16. The well-known Sabian cymbals firm and the multinational Yamaha will also participate.