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

Habanera. A dance from the beginning of the 19th century which became a form of humorous and ironic poetry. A part from the habanera from Carmen, one of the most famous habeneras is La Paloma, composed by the Spanish composer Sebastien Iradier.

Irakere. One of the greatest Cuban groups. Irakere is like a laboratory of sound that fuses Son, Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz and funk. The group has received a great deal of acclaim on its many world tours. Cuba's greatest virtuosos have played with Irakere. Chucho Valdes, the pianist, composed their most celebrated album Misa Negra. But to hear this group playing at their absolute best, you must listen to the album Felicidad, Live at Ronnie Scott's.

Havana. The capitol of Cuba (2,100,000 inhabitants in 1997). The caldron where Cuban music boils. The pearl of tropical socialism and Spanish architecture with its old facades, and its old American cars. The melting pot where all the unbelievable richness of Cuban culture comes together whether it be dance, cinema, literature or sport. Since 1959, the Cubans have benefited from the teaching of some of the best professors from the former Soviet Union. Even if one deplores the absence of free elections, as well as the restrictions due to the American embargo, Cuba remains a proud example of independence for all Latin American countries for its struggle against imperialism. The montanu sound came down from the mountains and found its place in Havana before conquering the rest of the world.

Latin Jazz. Jazz that is interpreted with Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussion on top of harmonies that come from Latin America. Some of the most famous Latin Jazz standards include Perdido, Caravan, Manteca, Con alma, Saint Thomas, Little suede shoes, Tico Tico, Afro Blue, etc.

Lucumi. In Cuba, the Yoruba are called Lucumi or Nagos, from the ancient Ulkumy. (17th century).

Mambo. As opposed to the Son and Danzon music from which it is derived, the mambo has been successfully exported all over the world. Created in Cuba, it was developed in New York, inspired by the great jazz orchestras. The mambo is a dance for partners. "Mambo" by Orestes Lopez is the title of the first "nuevo ritmo" danzon interpreted by the Antonio Arcano orchestra. Mambo first appeared in 1947, under the title of "Que rico el mambo" by Damaso Perez Prado.

Maracas. Instruments inherited from the Indian populations, made of calabashes with seeds inside, with a short stick for a handle. "The only instruments of indigenous origin that have remained are the maracas and the guiro. These idiophones are similar to those existing in Africa. This explains why the blacks that were brought to Cuba adopted them so easily." (Alejo Carpentier)

Machito. Frank "Machito" Grillo, singer and maracas player, formed a large salsa band in the 1940s with his musical director , Mario Bauza. They recorded with such greats as Charlie "Bird" Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Flip Phillips and Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros. Machito won a Grammy for his first record for Timeless Records in 1982. 

Marimbula. A variant on the African sanza, it's a big wooden box with thin metal tongues which are made to vibrate with the fingers.

Moré Benny. El Benny (1919-1963), Without a doubt, one of the most celebrated singers in Cuban music. He was the Carlos Gardel of Cuban music. He was featured in a short documentary "Salut les Cubains", made by Agnès Varda.

Miami. With Havana and Santiago de Cuba, Miami completes the golden triangle of Cuban music, with record labels such as SAR founded by Roberto Torres, Crescent Moon founded by Emilio Estefan and the numerous artists who immigrated there: Gloria Estefan, Willy Chirino, Israel "Cachao" Lopez... 

Mozambique. A rhythmic style created in the 60s by Pedro Izquierdo, known as Pello el Afrokan. It is carnaval music played only by percussion instruments. Yet Eddie Palmieri popularized it as North American salsa by playing it with his various ensembles.