9781422279793

The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club on stage during its 2015 farewell tour. For nearly two decades the group—composed of a changing lineup of veteran Cuban musicians— enthralled audiences across the globe.

Words to Understand in This Chapter

bebop— a style of jazz that emphasizes complexity, speed, and unusual or uncon- ventional phrasing. clave— a rhythmic pattern common in Afro-Cuban music. genre— a category of music or dance (or other kind of art). percussion— musical instruments (such as the drums, tambourine, or bells) that are played by striking, shaking, or scraping. polyrhythm— the use of two or more sharply contrasting rhythms at the same time. syncopation— the accenting of a musical beat that would normally not be stressed.