The island of Cuba was a Spanish possession for almost 400 years (1511-1898). The land-owning elite held social and economic power, supported by slaves, both indigenous and of South American and African descent, until slavery was abolished…

And then came a lion... Conga / Harmonica (key of D) improvisation. 4/4 90bpm

There are 3 styles of the Rumba Guáguánco pattern: this one originates from the Cuban province of Matanzas (to the east of Havana). “Rumba” is a Spanish term for a gathering of musicians, singers & dancers (what West Africans refer to…

A rock song, in 17 notes per octave. Yes there is an echo of Buddy Holly... Lyrics, and chords and bass here http://chrisvaisvil.com/?p=2071

Merengues are fast arrangements with a 2/4 beat, originating from the Dominican Republic. The traditional instrumentation includes a "güira" (guiro), which is a percussion instrument that sounds like a scrapper. The Merengue güira is a cylinder…

I hope he likes funk. 4/4 200bpm

Conga improvisation. 4/4 ?bpm

*Pilón* reveals a Cuban pattern, traditionally played on Timbales, but in this case on Jr. Congas & Congas (with gated reverberation and flanger effect). The rhythm of Pilón is based on the motions of pounding sugar cane. A new son reveals…

This is a “cross-over” pattern. Cross-over patterns are a type of enharmonic polymeter, where 2 rhythms with different numbers of beats/measure are played at the same tempo: the measures do not line up each time. These rhythms have measures…