The ABCs of Cuban Music

  >A, B, C,   D, E, F, G, H,    I, J, K, L , M,   N, O, P, Q, R,    S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

DanzonA kind of square dance like the quadrille, the rigadon, the minuet and the French contradance brought to Cuba by the French immigrants from Haiti and crossbred with African rhythms. Like the old contradances that were performed in courts, the Danzon is performed with a partner, but leaves considerable room for improvisation. Danzon is a musical genre like the other dance music in Cuba, and was created on January 1st, 1879 when Miguel Filde interpreted his composition Alturas de Simpson at Matanzas. Danzon developed further in the 20th century with the growth of the mambo and its derivative, the cha cha. When compared to the contradance, the danzon offers many more and different parts which allow for innovation in the dance steps. Played to the rhythm of the guiro, a calabash that has been emptied and grooves put into its sides, the danzon is played by an orchestra composed of violins, wind instruments, and pailas, two small cymbals. At the end of the 20th century, the brass gave way to the woodwinds and the piano made its appearance in the orchestration. Many major American composers, such as Gershwin and Bernstein, used the danzon in their works. Among the dance orchestras devoted to the danzon one finds, most notably, the Antonio Mario Romeau orchestra. The Danzonete introduces the voice into the danzon accompanied by the guiro. Others use maracas and singers such as Paulina Alvarez, among others.

Descarga. An improvisation session (Jazz jam sessions) like the performances of the Fania All Stars, with thirty musicians on stage, who take turns improvising. The best descargas have been recorded to the bass playing of Israel Cachao Lopez.

Eleggua. A Yoruba God who watches over roads and crossroads. He is the patron saint of roads and is the messenger of Olofi (Holy Spirit). Each Santeria ceremony begins with an offering to Eleggua.

Filin. From the English word "feeling". This music began in the 50s, like the bugaloo, the shilg-a-ling or the panchanga and combines Cuban rhythms with Jazz standards. The best example of Filin is the song "Gloria eres to" by Jose Antonio Mendez written in 1946.

Guajira.Guillermo Portabales, the king of Guajira, died in 1971. His song "El carretero" came out on Night and Day records. It paints the picture of a pleasant life in the guajiros around Cienfuegos. La guajira, often accompanied with guitar, is a song about about love and the beauty of Cuba. Portobales created the most elegant ballroom Gujiras. The singers that worked with him include Radeeunda Lima, Carmelina Barberis, and Carmen Flores, one of the Queens of Guaracha. "The guajira can be called the blues of the campesino", Ray Barretto.

Guaguanco. The most widespread form of the rhumba. Played to a fast latin drum tempo, the singer calls out to the audience ( this is called la diana). Then the soloist plays an introductory theme and the rest of the choir picks up on the theme. There is a polyrhythmic dialog between singers and percussionists. The choir and soloists form a half circle and couples dance in front of them. It's a romantic ritual with a great deal of sexually provocative hip movement.

Guantanamera. The whole world knows the name Guantanamera, even though the town of Guantanomo is not on many tourists' itineraries. The town, which gets its name from an Indian term which means "fertile land between rivers" is best known for its military base conceded to the Americans in 1903, which is home to 2500 men and spreads out over 60 square miles. Like "Commandante Che Guevara", it is one of the two songs that you'll be sure to hear when you go to Cuba. It is a part of Cuba's national heritage and was written in the 30s by Joseito Fernancez, a radio announcer who fell in love with a young girl from the province of Guantanamo. The original version was broadcast in 1929 as a jingle for his radio show. It was at the end of the 50s that Hector Angulo added the words to "Versos Sencillos", a poem by the revolutionary poet José Marti. It became a worldwide success when the American singer Pete Seeger sang the son at the Newport Jazz festival in 1963 with a banjo.

La Guaracha. a song that is both bawdy and satirical, funny and entertaining, which illustrates the Cubans' hostility toward the Spanish conquest.

La guaracha is another kind of spirited dance, characterized by its numerous hip movements.

Habanera. A dance that dates back to the beginning of the 19th century that became a form of humorous and ironic poetry. Apart from the habanera from Carmen, one of the most celebrated habaneras is called La Paloma, composed by the Spanish composer Sebastien Iradier.