M116 Study Questions and Correct Answers
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Arsenio Rodriguez
- Expanded the son by returning to the African traditions/derived elements. Lived out his musical
career in Cuba, NY, and LA. He added the campana, the tumbadora, and the piano. Emphasized
the guajeo, incorporated the tumbao and major innovations contributions was his creation of the
mambo
- The conjuntos of Arsenio Rodriguez are a continuation of the Europeanized son, but with more
balance between African and European elements. This stage was marked by the addition of the
campana, conga drum, and a second trumpet, as well as an overall return to the original
improvised and energetic son.
Miguelito Valdez
- A sonero, he became a major influence among audiences in the United States by the early
1940s. Originally from Cuba but based in NY, Valdez sang with the orchestras of Machito and
Xavier Cugat, and by 1947, he had formed his own band. Had great success in Hollywood
movies incorporating styles such as rumba and mambo.
- Song Babalu aye named after the orisha. Religion aspects were an important part o f the music
Nicolas Guillen
- Born in Cuba, wrote poetry in an attempt to bring the rhythms of the son to Spanish verse.
Influenced by sexteto habanero and the trio matamoros. His collection of 8 short poems called
, Motivos de Son was an instant success. He integrated African and Spanish elements to create
another Cuban idiom, one of artistic and literary innovation.
- Poem mentioned in class: negro bembon - a critique to the way black people were being
disrespected and the power to reclaim identity. His poem was adapted by Silvestre Revueltas
Machito
Frank Grillo emigrated from Cuba to NY in 1937, and by 1940, he had organized his own
orchestra - Machito and his Afro-Cubans. His orchestra innovated by blending Afro-Cuban
dance forms such as rumba, guaracha, and mambo with the musical qualities of the big band jazz
and bebop movements in NY. "Tanga" was a big hit song
Mario Bauzá
Saxophonist-trumpeter originally from Cuba. immigrated to NY due to racial issues in Cuba. He
is attracted by the cultural metamorphosis happening in the Harlem Renaissance
Chano Pozo
Collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie. Immigrated from Cuba to NY. Didn't speak English but
communicated with the band
Dizzy Gillespie
Has his jazz band and slowly integrated aspects of the afro-cuban beats to produce a very
distinctive style.
Cubop
Guaranteed A+!
Arsenio Rodriguez
- Expanded the son by returning to the African traditions/derived elements. Lived out his musical
career in Cuba, NY, and LA. He added the campana, the tumbadora, and the piano. Emphasized
the guajeo, incorporated the tumbao and major innovations contributions was his creation of the
mambo
- The conjuntos of Arsenio Rodriguez are a continuation of the Europeanized son, but with more
balance between African and European elements. This stage was marked by the addition of the
campana, conga drum, and a second trumpet, as well as an overall return to the original
improvised and energetic son.
Miguelito Valdez
- A sonero, he became a major influence among audiences in the United States by the early
1940s. Originally from Cuba but based in NY, Valdez sang with the orchestras of Machito and
Xavier Cugat, and by 1947, he had formed his own band. Had great success in Hollywood
movies incorporating styles such as rumba and mambo.
- Song Babalu aye named after the orisha. Religion aspects were an important part o f the music
Nicolas Guillen
- Born in Cuba, wrote poetry in an attempt to bring the rhythms of the son to Spanish verse.
Influenced by sexteto habanero and the trio matamoros. His collection of 8 short poems called
, Motivos de Son was an instant success. He integrated African and Spanish elements to create
another Cuban idiom, one of artistic and literary innovation.
- Poem mentioned in class: negro bembon - a critique to the way black people were being
disrespected and the power to reclaim identity. His poem was adapted by Silvestre Revueltas
Machito
Frank Grillo emigrated from Cuba to NY in 1937, and by 1940, he had organized his own
orchestra - Machito and his Afro-Cubans. His orchestra innovated by blending Afro-Cuban
dance forms such as rumba, guaracha, and mambo with the musical qualities of the big band jazz
and bebop movements in NY. "Tanga" was a big hit song
Mario Bauzá
Saxophonist-trumpeter originally from Cuba. immigrated to NY due to racial issues in Cuba. He
is attracted by the cultural metamorphosis happening in the Harlem Renaissance
Chano Pozo
Collaborated with Dizzy Gillespie. Immigrated from Cuba to NY. Didn't speak English but
communicated with the band
Dizzy Gillespie
Has his jazz band and slowly integrated aspects of the afro-cuban beats to produce a very
distinctive style.
Cubop
