Download    Your dance floor is packed and the final chord of “Old Time Rock’n’Roll” still hangs in the air. The crowd is cheering and clapping – wanting more. It’s that pivotal moment in the third set that every band waits for – when you’ve got the crowd in the palm of your hand. It’s time for…. the Conga line!

“Conga” is the signature song of The Miami Sound Machine with Gloria Estefan taking the lead.  It’s a great combination of fast, clever lyrics and a very busy Latin rhythm section – lots of congas, of course.  Our arrangement gives you plenty of time to talk to the crowd (“Everybody join the conga line!”) with elongated drum solos at the beginning.  You’ll get the first three brass section chords to establish the key, the singer does one chorus line to introduce the song (I’m using flute as the lead vocal), a piano interlude, then use the eight-bar drum solo to get the crowd up and forming a line.  From there, your singer can easily follow the movement of the song and come in at the right time with verses and chorus.  Easy arrangement and guaranteed to create beautiful chaos on the dance floor.

Nobody can resist a conga line as it wildly slides by your table – you just have to jump in.  This song is happy and fun and the beat is infectious.  If you’re new to the business and haven’t tried a conga in your lineup, this one’s for you.  I always want to join in myself, but that’s kinda tricky from behind the piano.