My idea of the the influence and impact of Afro-Cuban music completely shifted and broadened after studying this past unit. There are many forms of music that I personally enjoy and listen to every single day such as rap and house music that have direct ties into Afro-Cuban music and salsa alike.
Community, Identity and Culture
Afro-Cuban music is something that has had adverse affects on culture and music over the past seventy-plus years. From rumba, mambo and son, these styles of early 20th century latin music all had deep ties to African culture. Cuba was one of the main stops on the African slave trade, explaining why we see so much African influence on this cuban music. The drums that this music was being played with were considered to be "alive" in a sense - that being that the drums were made of trees which were once alive as well as animal skin - and that feeling of life was deeply reflected in the way the music makes the body want to move. Many even describe this music as spiritual.
While this music is catchy and fun, it needed something more than just sound alone to set it off to what it would eventually become (that is, of course, the basis of all jazz its cultural significance on the U.S.). Don Azpiazus was an orchestra that came to NYC in the 1930's. This marked the first time people in the states would not only hear African instruments being played such as the congo, but the first time they would see a multi-racial orchestra. Still, Afro-Cuban and Latin music alike still needed a spark.
This spark began with a man named Mario Bauza. Bauza came to New York City when he was just thirteen years old. He was a renowned clarinet player and soon rose the ranks among New York City musicians. Bauza formed the orchestra Machito and His Afro Cubans.
Machito and His Afro Cubans began to gain popularity and would soon perform at the Palladium in NYC. Even though the Palladium would have lines that would literally be so big to shut down city blocks, the musicians weren't given the recognition or compensation they deserved. Many of these musicians had to take on second jobs during the day just to make ends meet. This is a reflection to how even though this Afro-Cuban music began to gain popularity, there was still inherent discrimination towards the performers due to their race. Many celebrities came to the Palladium to see them perform, but it wasn't until other nationalities began to come to the Palladium that we start to see these musicians get their due.
Mambo at the Palladium was an absolute craze, and the Palladium artists were set to tour the United States for three months. This marks the beginning of what would turn into the extreme wide spread popularity and influence that Afro-Cuban music had on Jazz and it's creation. Even artists such as Louis Armstrong would do covers of this music.
Despite the growth of Afro-Cuban music however, just like it's people, it was marginalized and not taken for the value that it brought.
(Machito and His Afro Cubans pictured above)
Rhythms and Performance
Tying African influence back into Latin music, it's interesting seeing how African style dances, which were described as calculated, sudden and powerful movements, directly influence Latin dance and salsa. A performance that I personally enjoyed and feel as though reflects this Afro-Cuban morphing of dance styles was a mambo performance done my "The Mambo Legends". Their movements with the clave are stern yet fluid. For something to strong it is anything but abrasive. Their body and performance comes across extremely fluid. (Pictured below are the Palladium Mambo Legends)
All in all I was pleasantly surprised at just how much I learned about Afro-Cuban music and dance as well as it's massive effects on not just the music of its time, but present day art that I enjoy.
Comments
Post a Comment