a nonprofit presenter of jazz artistic and education programs
Discover Jazz: The Rumba Is Not Like Yesterday
Presented in partnership with Yerba Buena Gardens Festival and the Museum of the African Diaspora, La Rumba No Es Como Ayer (The Rumba in Not Like Yesterday) is a seven-part lecture series that delves into the evolution, anatomy, and relevance of the Cuban rumba, one of the most important and influential musical/dance genres in the history of the Americas.

The series will trace the rumba's Kongo/Spanish origins, its birth in 19th century Havana and Matanzas provinces, and its subsequent choreographic, musical and lyrical development as it became the integral part of American music that it is today.

Taught by master percussionist and educator John Santos, the series will be in-depth, entertaining and illuminating. Participants can sign up for the entire series, or on a class-by-class basis.
  • 5/5/09 Introduction
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    In the first class, participants will look at the African and Spanish roots of rumba, as well as define the rumba's role as an indispensable traditional/contemporary element of Afro-Latin artistic expression.
  • 5/12/09 Yambú
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    Born in the docks of Havana and Matanzas, the Yambú is one of the oldest styles of Cuban rumba. In the second session, participants will learn the specific musical, choreographic and poetic elements that identify this beautiful style.
  • 5/19/09 Columbia
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    Also one of the rumba's primordial styles, the Columbia is the most African of all the rumbas. Class participants will examine the slave barrack environment where the style originated and the all-important function of coded resistance that it has always represented.
  • 5/26/09 Guaguancó
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    The Guaguancó evolved to become the most popular rumba among working class Cubans. In class four, participants will study the Guaguancó—the musical voice of the barrio, representing historical affirmation, love, patriotism, sarcasm and politics.
  • 6/2/09 Rumba-son/Jiribilla/Rumba de cabaret
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    In class five, participants will examine the 1920s - 1930s marriage of the two most influential styles of Cuban popular music and dance: the rumba and the son. Racism, prohibition, radio, Hollywood and New York City all play urgent roles in this chapter.
  • 6/9/09 La Rumba in salsa and in jazz
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    Rumba continues to be a formidable contributor to contemporary music. In class six, participants will see how the Rumba lent form and style to Salsa and jazz.
  • 6/16/09 Guarapachangueo y la rumba moderna
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    The series concludes with a look at the current state of rumba and how it continues to be a living, breathing form of popular expression in the Cuban communities that created it.