Cuban Son: the rhythm that was born in the East and conquered the world

Before salsa, before timba, even before rueda de casino... there was son.

And if you've ever felt that perfect blend of African rhythm and Spanish melody that makes you move your feet without thinking about it, then you've felt the soul of eastern Cuba.

The son: origin and musical revolution

Cuban son was born at the end of the 19th century in the eastern provinces of Cuba, especially in Santiago de Cuba and nearby rural areas such as Guantánamo and Baracoa. It was the result of the encounter between African traditions (percussion, rhythm, singing) and Spanish traditions (guitar, verse, poetry), giving life to a completely new musical and dance style.

Much more than music

The son not only made a whole country dance: it was the first great Cuban musical language that united social classes, regions and cultures. It was played by peasants with tres and marimbula, and it was also performed by large orchestras when it arrived in Havana. It became a symbol of identity, pride and resistance.

The heart of what we dance today

Do you like salsa? Then you are dancing to the evolution of the son.

Son was the basis for many later styles: mambo, chachachá, songo... and even New York salsa took its musical structure and cadence from son.

And how do you dance?

Cuban son is danced with elegance, pause and cadence. It doesn't have the explosiveness of timba or the acrobatics of salsa, but it has flavour, intention and a lot of connection. Every step tells a story. Every pause has meaning.

Travelling to the East: going to the source

When you travel to the East, you are not only seeing incredible landscapes: you are walking where everything was born. There you can hear son in the houses, in the traditional clubs, on the street. You can learn from musicians who grew up with it, from dancers who have it in their blood.

Dance Travelling takes you into the heart of son

Our trips to eastern Cuba are a unique opportunity to experience this culture from the inside. You will dance son, you will understand it in context, and you will be transformed as a dancer and as a traveller. Because to dance salsa with soul... first you have to know the son.