1. Cuban Rumba An outline of the beginnings to modern day rumba in Cuba and around the world.
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3. Rumba is performed on drums but contains intensely musical concepts and practices. Similar to what one would hear within a classical string or jazz quartet.
4. Form, melody, listening, and interaction are all integral parts of rumba. When listened to closely, one discovers that rumba contains all the aspects of musicianship expected from typical western music.
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6. The rumba formed by means of the forced disposition of slaves taken from various African nations and placed in Cuba.
7. The combination of various African nations with the Spanish imperialism present in Cuba makes rumba a truly creole art form.
8. The slaves were given Sundays as a free day and would use that day to play together. This is a clear example of the forced disposition of the slaves and the unification of their musics. Africans from Nigeria, Congo, Benin and other central and western countries were interacting and playing music together on a weekly basis!
9. Thus the sacred music of the various African nations mentioned above (Yoruba, Bantu, Arara, to name a few) had a major influence on the development of rumba. While rumba is a secular art form, it’s sound and origins are closely linked with the sacred world.
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12. Similar to Jazz in the United States, (among many other similarities) Rumba being a music of the common peoples was looked down upon by the elite, and considered immoral and dangerous.
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14. Video/Musical examples YouTube provides a plethora of videos. Here are a few good examples. Guaguanco (traditional Matanzas style) Guaguanco (modern) Yambu Street Rumba (Havana style) Columbia
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16. Son clave is a close relative of Rumba clave. The difference between the two below.
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18. But with the change, there also remains tradition. Similarly to jazz, the young players of today sound vastly different from the players of yesterday, but all understand the roots and tradition of the music they perform.
19. The Cuban government sanctioned groups such as ConjuntoFolkloricoNacional to perform Cuban folkloric music around the world. One can imagine that when folkloric music is put on a professional stage and sent around the world for means of entertainment, the changes that might occur for audience sake.
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21. Recommended listenings/readings Cuba and It’s Music by Ned Sublette. Isbn #: 2003022097 Listening: Los Munequitos de Matanzas-Vacunao, Conga Yambumba, etc
22. Organization of Web Content Excellent website on Afro-Cuban music in English: Esquina Rumbera Rumba lyrics: El Cancionero Rumbero Afro-Cuban music site in Spanish but with good links to pictures/videos: Koro mi Yare Another good Afro-Cuban music blog in English: Sentimiento Manana Site with excellent links to Articles/Blogs/etc: Palo Santo Site with old Cuban vinyl recordings transferred to digital format: Listen to your Ears Modern site created in the USA about Rumba and various interpretations of it: Los Rumbos de la Rumba
23. Israel Berriel Interview Translated transcription of a January 2009 interview with long time Munequitos singer Israel Berriel: Interview
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