Afro Cuban Timeline - Ed Uribe: Taino, Siboney and Carib Indian tribes existed on Cuba first (40K years)

) 1500s Spain, Portugal, France & England start colonization of the new world (Caribbean region). Spain, England and France had biggest impact. Spains biggest impact is in the colonization of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic Sugar was an extremely valuable commodity in the 1600 & 1700s. Slowly the tribes were enslaved/eliminated to help produce sugar crop plantations. When the production got to be too large for the indigenous tribes, slaves from Africa were brought in (mostly from North Western and Central). This what started the merging of Africans with native Indians and Spanish settlers (native Indian is least pronounced in the music) Early 1500s to mid 1800s nearly 3.5 million Africans brought to the new world regions (reportedly 5-6 times more than brought to North America during slave period. Spanish suppressed cultural practices by imposing Christianity and the Spanish language. Extensive drumming is part of the Africa culture. Spanish culture contributed musically on two fronts: 1. Music of the Spanish/European courts (sacred and secular melodies, harmonies and polyphony in the voices. 2. Peasant classes a step above slaves, but definitely laborers and brought with them songs (verse/chorus structure) African slaves/culture contributed vocal and rhythmic elements as well as drums and percussion instruments. The instruments were recreated in Cuba and other countries. Both sacred and secular elements of music are brought (Call and Response for example) Most popular dance styles are rooted in Son, a mix of Spanish peasant music and the music of the African slaves. 1791 Haitian slave rebellion takes place. Haiti is colonized by the French and other African slaves. Now the Haitan/African slaves move to eastern province of Cuba (Oriente). This introduces yet more integration of culture and musical style.

 Late 1800 early 1900, Son is now being developed in the lower and middle classes while the Danzon is being developed through the French in Cuba in the high class. So, Son developed in the streets while the Danzon developed in the high society ballrooms. In the 1920s The US grants Puerto Rico citizenship status and therefore a huge influx of Puerto Ricans to NYC (also bringing with them some of the African and Spanish heritage) In the 1930-1940s Jazz begins to merge with Danzon and Son in NYC. This is where Mambo, Cha cha cha and Latin Jazz begins. Piano gets added to groups. Famous practitioners: Tito Puente Tito Rodriguez (singer) Mario Bauza (arranger) Dizzy Gillespie Cal Tjader Mongo Santamaria Charlie Palmieri Ray Barretto Celia Cruz Salsa 1970s. Not a rhythm or particular style a generic term for a hybrid of styles of Latin music. Add today funk and rock rhythms to Afro/Cuban music.