Son-traditional - dance
Son Tradicional (often referred to simply as Son Cubano) is a traditional Cuban music genre that combines Spanish and African musical elements. It is considered one of the most influential and foundational genres in Cuban music, serving as the basis for many other popular styles such as salsa.
Origins
- Developed in the eastern region of Cuba ( Oriente) in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- Blends:
- Spanish influences → lyrical structures, guitars, and poetic forms.
- African influences → syncopated rhythms, percussion, and call-and-response singing.
Key Characteristics
Cultural Impact
- Served as the foundation for modern salsa music.
- Popularized globally in the 20th century, especially through groups like Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro and Trío Matamoros.
- Revived worldwide interest with the Buena Vista Social Club project in the 1990s.
Famous Songs & Ensembles
- Chan Chan (Compay Segundo)
- El Cuarto de Tula
- Ensembles like Septeto Nacional, Trío Matamoros, and Arsenio Rodríguez’s conjuntos
Legacy
Son Tradicional remains:
- A living tradition in Cuba, performed in both rural and urban settings.
- A symbol of Cuban identity and heritage.
- A musical root that connects older traditions with contemporary Latin and Afro-Caribbean genres.
Oriente, the eastern region of Cuba, is the cradle of vibrant music and dance traditions like Son, Changüí, Nengón, and Kiribá, which shaped the roots of Cuban and Latin music.
Lees meer >Timba, the explosive and rhythmically rich genre of Cuban dance music, transformed how the bass functions in popular music. In Timba, the bass is not just foundational — it’s fiery, funky, and free.
Lees meer >Trumpet
Used in mambo, salsa, and timba horn sections.
- The trumpet’s origin is ancient, global, and ceremonial.
- Its modern form came from 19th-century Europe (valves).
- Its Cuban role grew from military bands and popular brass groups, before being absorbed into son as the seventh voice that defined the septeto.
- Son traditional
- Son urbano
- Son montuno
- Son moderno.
Lees meer >Mambo
In Cuban music, especially in salsa and son,
the " mambo" section typically refers to a brassy, rhythmically intense instrumental break,
often featuring repetitive horn lines, call-and-response patterns, and building energy toward the climax of a song.
- Son traditional
- Son urbano
- Son montuno
- Son moderno.
Lees meer >Mambo
In Cuban music, especially in salsa and son,
the "mambo" section typically refers to a brassy, rhythmically intense instrumental break,
often featuring repetitive horn lines, call-and-response patterns, and building energy toward the climax of a song.