Cuban music has stayed intact in its sense, color and flavor since the end
of the 19th Century. The steps taken in alternative directions have been to
create new rhythms, but always true to the unmistakable flavor of the "Island of Martí".
History makes it clear that the budding and unsophisticated Cuban music that
the slaves found upon their arrival to the Island, was overwhelmingly
influenced by the drums brought over from the distant African Continent.
The Caribbean and Black harmonies were intertwined; the sum of whose roots
were to give birth to new rhythms. But the Cubans would not let go of their
original form of creating songs; they would only allow the most beautiful
aspects proposed by the blacks to influence their music. Namely, percussion.
Since back in 1896 when Nene Manfugas with his rustic wooden box with three
double strings (that would later be called "Tres" and become the iconic
instrument of Cuban Son) played melodies that would entice the settlers of
the Eastern region of Cuba to dance, the music of the Island has had
successive advances.
The first known variation appeared as The "Son Changui" that would be made
popular in the XX Century by Elio Revé Senior, or "Danzon" that in 1897 with
the inspiration of the musician Miguel Flayde based on the harmony of "Contradanza" (derived from "Country Dance", a classic music that had
arrived from Great Britain) would put the Cubans to dance. And what can you
say of the Cha Cha Cha that in 1951 Ninon Mondejar would create with the aid
of the violinista Enrique Jorrin?
And further on, the continued transformation of Cuban music would be
expressed as "Songo" at the hands of Jose Luis Cortes Luis, and then later
as "Timba" under the leadership of Juan Climaco Alfonso Formell Cortina,
known simply as "Juan Formell".
All this went on developing with the distinctive and peculiar culture of
Cuba, a culture closed to the rest of the world with the minimum of
possibilities to incorporate globalized music trends. And all this is said
while acknowledging the great contributions of Cuban musicians to Latin
jazz.
What will happen when Fidel is no longer here, and Raul Castro aims to
open-up the economy? Cuban music will continue being international, that is
an unquestionable fact, but will international music level the consumption
of the Cuban song book?
Planeta Salsa can also be read in "Q'Hubo".
Send comments to: planetasalsa@gmail.com
 January
2009
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