Home
Cuba
PLAN MY VISIT
Cuba Destinations HotelsThings to do Transport Maps Vacations Team
  • Top Destinations
PLAN MY VISIT →
  1. Home
  2. Cuba
  3. Travel Guides

Musicians of Cuba

Whether it’s live salsa in a restaurant or traditional trova performed at a dance hall, music is ubiquitous in Cuba. Cubans are extremely musical, and you’ll see them dancing, singing, and playing instruments most everywhere you go.

Flag of Cuba

Team Anywhere Cuba designs awesomepersonalized vacations  using local knowledge and decades of experience.

cuban%20street%20musicians

Take a walk down the cobblestone streets of Havana Vieja and you’ll hear music pouring out of the cafés, restaurants, and bars. The music is always live and always good. You might hear any number of musical styles being performed, including son, salsa, and trova. The groups usually have one or two guitarists, a bassist, percussionist, and vocalist. The singers are especially impressive, with deep and powerful voices. While you’re in Cuba, take time to listen to the local music wherever you go. You’ll be amazed at what you find.

cuban%20guitar%20players

Cuban music has evolved over the past several centuries thanks to Spanish, African, and European influences. The arrival of the Spanish brought guitars and new melodies to the island; these would eventually merge with African rhythms and call-and-response traditions. From the 16th to the 18th century, Cuban music mostly stayed on the island. The 19th century saw Cuban music popularized throughout the rest of the world—this helped Cuban sounds contribute to the development of other musical genres, including salsa and rumba. The 1950s witnessed the introduction of mambo and Latin jazz to the US, as well big band groups like those of Benny Moré.

However, it wasn’t until the Buena Vista Social Club that Cuban music enjoyed true international fame. The Buena Vista Social Club formed in 1996, when a Cuban music promoter rounded up a group of veteran musicians to make an album. The result was the eponymous Buena Vista Social Club, which was released in 1999 and won a Grammy the same year. The record introduced outsiders to the son and bolero musical styles, and received widespread critical acclaim. A documentary – also called Buena Vista Social Club – chronicles the group’s recording of the album and concerts on the international stage. It also gives insight into the artists’ life in Cuba. As of 2015, six of the original members have died, including Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer. However, the group continues to tour as the Orquesta—the lineup sometimes changes, but larger events usually include original members Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa.

Listen to the Music

You’ll encounter a number of musical styles in Cuba, especially if you patronize the Casa de la Música, Casa de la Trova, or Casa de la Cultura. These casas are devoted to preserving and nurturing the musical scene in Cuba and are found in nearly every major city. They have live music most days of the week, and are wonderful places to listen to music and dance. Afternoon concerts are typically mellower than those in the evenings, where the dance floor fills up with locals and foreigners. The casas are often the most reliably fun place in town, and the music is guaranteed to be great.

cuban%20live%20music

Outside of these venues, you’ll find music being performed in bars and restaurants. In local bars, you might find a group of guitarists huddled around a table drinking rum and swapping songs. At more touristy watering holes, you’ll usually find a full band performing to a group of beer-swigging foreigners. The bars are fun places to grab a drink and listen to a few songs. Cuban restaurants often have live music as well—the volume is usually held to a level that still allows you to talk to other diners.

During performances, onlookers may be invited to join the musicians in a song or two onstage. If you accept, you’ll usually be given a pair of claves (hardwood percussive sticks) and be taught the song’s basic rhythm. Other musicians may invite couples to dance during an especially festive song. If you get the opportunity, say yes and get up on stage—it’s a fantastic opportunity to participate in Cuban music.

After a performance, musicians will usually walk around to tables to sell CDs and ask for tips. If you enjoyed the music, please tip them. This is an important source of income for these people, and will ensure their ability to continue playing music.

cuban%20musicians%20rehearsing

Types of Music

Cuban music is intricately linked to the Spanish, who brought instruments and melodies over to Cuba. The guitar plays an important role in all Cuban music—keep an eye out for the tres, a guitar that has three pairs of double strings. Rhythm is the backbone of Cuban music, with percussive instruments that include claves, bongo drums, and maracas.

Europe introduced Cuba to trova, a type of music that revolves around love ballads. Trovas originated from medieval ballads, and the singers traditionally performed for free. This is still the case at the Casas de la Trova, where you can enjoy a complimentary show in the afternoon. The 20th century saw the emergence of bolero, which mixed trova with African-Cuban rhythms and developed in Santiago de Cuba.

african%20cuban%20percussion

Son combines call-and-response verses and Spanish folk songs. It developed in Eastern Cuba, and became popular in the 1920s. The sound shifted in the 1930s thanks to the influence of jazz, and it developed into larger orchestras with brass and percussion sections. Benny Moré and his Banda Gigante are representative of this genre.

During the early years of the revolution, jazz was discouraged in Cuba, since it came from the United States. However, by the 1980s, the government had relaxed and jazz began to be appreciated. Today, Cuba has ample jazz venues that are home to excellent musicians. The most popular contemporary jazz artist is Cucho Valdés, a pianist who has won five Grammys.

cuban%20jazz%20musicians

Salsa is huge in Cuba, and you’ll no doubt hear it during your travels here. Salsa combines various musical traditions – including son, bolero, mambo, and even jazz – and is played at dance halls, restaurants, and bars. It means “sauce” in Spanish, and appropriately, it’s a spicy, sensual musical style that encourages dancing. There are dance schools across the country where you can take salsa lessons. After a few lessons, hit the local dance halls to practice your moves.

Casas ParticularesClassic Cars and the Cubans That Keep Them RunningCrime and Safety in CubaCuba AirBnBCuba Entry RequirementsCuban Agriculture & FarmingCuban Cultural TraditionsCuban Santeria Practices Cuba's Government and EconomyCuba's History of Music & Art Dancing is Life in Cuba – A Nation's Culture of MovementDevelopment and Society in CubaEnvironmental Issues in CubaFood and Drink in CubaGetting Around in CubaGetting to CubaHemingway in CubaHistory of CubaHolidays and Festivals in CubaInternet Access in CubaIs Cuba Safe?Money in CubaMusicians of CubaOn the Left in Cuba's Black MarketReligion in CubaRemnants of the RevolutionSports & Pastimes in CubaStill Smoking - Tobacco and Cigars in CubaThe Blessing and Curse of the RevolutionThe Five Best Drives in CubaThe Geography of CubaThe People of CubaThe U.S. and CubaU.S. Travel to CubaWeather in CubaWhen to Visit Cuba
Excellent!
Trustpilot Rating
Based on 705 reviews
Trustpilot
Great Service!
We had a great experience with Anywhere Cuba. They really made our trip comfortable and were 100% available and collabor...
Feb 04, 2020
– Daniela R.
Trustpilot Rating
Another great trip
As usual, Anywhere provided a great and professional service both before and during our trip. Thanks!
Sep 06, 2019
– Sadie
Trustpilot Rating
Book with Anywhere! Easiest decision you'll have to make
Booking with Anywhere was the best decision we made. Our trip was absolutely amazing, everything we wanted, plus everyth...
Apr 26, 2019
– Stephanie
Trustpilot Rating
This service is outstanding
This service is outstanding. We had changes to be made, and they were done so with ease. All of the excursions and dri...
Mar 23, 2019
– Linda A
Trustpilot Rating
This was our third time using Anywhere…
This was our third time using Anywhere to help us create an adventure (Costa Rica, Belize, Cuba). As with our first two ...
Mar 15, 2019
– Brent Pat.
Trustpilot Rating
Great service that caters to the…
Great service that caters to the desires and wishes of their clients. We had the best vacation ever with this visit. Any...
Mar 07, 2019
– Bill
Trustpilot Rating
The Hidden Treasure of Travel Agency ( that shouldn't be anymore )!
Super pleasant, helpful, and knowledgeable staff! We plan to have them coordinate our next trips to the areas they ser...
Feb 15, 2019
– Mari
Trustpilot Rating
Best vacation of my life
Best vacation of my life! I told them the type of vacation and experiences I wanted and they somehow found the most perf...
Feb 08, 2019
– Lisa
Trustpilot Rating
Our First trip to Cuba
We had our first trip to Cuba in January. Juan and Daniel helped us plan the trip accommodating what we were most intere...
Jan 29, 2019
– Abby Elle.
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere.com is the best.
I would recommend Anywhere.com to anyone who is looking to travel to the destinations that they coordinate. I have been ...
Dec 17, 2018
– Robert
Trustpilot Rating
Great Experience in Cuba!
Initially was very hesitant to book with Anywhere since they are a smaller company but they really went above and beyond...
Nov 06, 2018
– Nina
Trustpilot Rating
Great Customer Service
We have now used the services of anwhere.com for trips to Cuba and Peru. I cannot endorse them strongly enough. Our expe...
Nov 01, 2018
– Peter Tes.
Trustpilot Rating
Anywhere exceeded all expectations
Anywhere exceeded all expectations. Schedules were kept, accommodations were excellent and tours were very high quality....
Apr 25, 2018
– David Bet.
Trustpilot Rating

Let's Dream Together

Share your bucketlist to get inspiration and local connections.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.

Cuba Vacations
  • Beach
  • Culture
  • History
  • Romantic
Cuba Travel
  • Places to go
  • Things to do
  • Hotels
  • Maps
  • Getting around
  • Safety
ANYWHERE'S TOP SPOTS
  • Costa Rica
  • Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
  • Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica
  • Costa Rica Beaches
  • Machu Picchu, Peru
  • Cusco, Peru
  • Galapgos, Ecuador
  • Quito, Ecuador
  • Antigua, Guatemala
  • Ambergris Caye, Belize
  • Gladden Spit and Silk Caye, Belize
GET INSPIRED!
  • Our Safest Pick!
  • Family Vacations Made Easy
  • Best Tropical Beaches
  • Best Islands
  • Best Hot Springs
  • Cloudforests & Rainforests
  • Get into Nature
  • Mystical Destinations
  • Best Swimming Holes
  • Best Ruins
Trustpilot 5 of 5 rated service
Trustpilot "Excellent"
Plan My Visit→+1 (888) 456-3212
MessengerContact AnywhereWhatsapp ContactCall USA: +1-888-456-3212

© 2023 Anywhere Inc. All rights reserved.Privacy Policy