Cuba music has the flavor of Cuban history and culture. The music, the beats and the instruments present a plethora of memories leading the way to the collective experience of the people.
Influences on Cuba music
Cuba music is a perfect blend of music from all over the world although the roots lie in West African and Spanish musical forms brought to the island by the slaves from Africa and the Spanish immigrants.
Santeria, an Afro-Cuban religion was a great influence on Cuba music . It merged both the African Yoruban culture and the culture of the catholics. The music originated from it needed a whole range of instruments since percussion is an inherent part of religious songs.
With time, Cuba music met with the French, the US and the Jamaican music world.
Cuba music cannot only be branded as a collage of various musical forms. It has also influenced various other forms like Jazz, Argentinian Tango, Ghanaian high-life, West African afrobeat, Spanish 'nuevo flamenco'.
Types of Cuba music
Cuba music can be categorized into Folk music and Classical music. Following are the various forms of folk and classical music.
FOLK MUSIC:
Folk music in Cuba is influenced by Zapateo, Fandango, Zampado, Retambico and Cancion. Also,the folk music of Cuba, like that of Areito, borrowed instruments like the Cornetin Chino from China, Clave from Europe and Congas and Bata drums from Africa. The various other forms of folk music are:
- Guajira or peasant music
- Musica Campesina or the Farmer's music
The other musical and dance forms apart from the folkloric genre are Danzon, Charanga, Balero ballad, Changui, Bata and Yuka, Rumba, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, Son and Salsa.
CLASSICAL MUSIC :
Cuban classical music has brought a turning point in the genre of classical music. With legendary figures like Robredo Manuel Samuell and Gasper Villete, one can both enjoy the grace and sobriety of waltz, violin and piano and also dance to the tune of the folk music like Guajira.
Cuba music gives you the experience of landing into a culture which is rich with the scent of the common mass and its experiences.
