Versatility in the Spanish Caribbean Music
Welcome to What’s the Beat with Branee T.-PART V
Versatility in the Spanish Caribbean Music.
Firstly, let us explore the musical versatility of Puerto Rico.
Music originating in Puerto Rico centered around the church and military garrison on the island. These genres of music are the bedrock of Puerto Rico. It is from these genres that other musical styles come from.
As time went on the musicians in this island were exposed to secular music. This exposure to secular music. This exposed the quandary of Puerto Rican music we know today. According to Donald Thompson, "19th century Puerto Rican art music includes symphonic fanatoes and overtune, religious music, instrumental chamber music and a considerable amount of piano music. The music originating in this country is a unique blend of African, traditional Spanish and Latin Music.
Video source : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVGChZZfvbQ
The insular government during the 1940s and 1950s established new education and cultural agencies that resulted in musical achieving traditional importance in this country. Many music schools and institutions were used a avenues to push Puerto Rican artist on the international stage.
An example of versatile Puerto Rican artist is Juan Morel-Campos born in 1847. Campos was an established director and composer of sacred choral music but also composed danzas. These genres of music are very different and require an intense amount of skill to master. While sacred choral music was more traditional danza incorporates "European harmony and melody with African rhythms and Caribbean influence". He was an inspiration and throughout his musical tenure pushed the island nation's musical genre of danza on an international stage.
Juan Morel Campos, an versatile Puerto Rican Musician
Photo credits : https://en.enciclopediapr.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/morel-campos-616x570.png
Now let us explore the versatility of music in Cuba.
Like most of the Spanish speaking Caribbean islands, the foundation of Cuban music is colonial church and classical music. However, much of the development of the different genres of Cuban music was influenced by their heads of government and political turmoil on the island in the past. Also, the fusion of different cultures ranging from Iberian descent , African descent and Amerindian descent created the unique style of Cuban Music today.
Like most of the Spanish speaking Caribbean islands, the foundation of Cuban music is colonial church and classical music. However, much of the development of the different genres of Cuban music was influenced by their heads of government and political turmoil on the island in the past. Also, the fusion of different cultures ranging from Iberian descent , African descent and Amerindian descent created the unique style of Cuban Music today.
"Son" is a musical style that gained international recognition during the 20th century. This genre is "one of the most influential and widespread forms of Latin-American music" It is a unique blend of African and Hispanic sounds and incorporate an element of music know as call and response.
The video below depicts the typical sound of son music. Notice the call in response of the performers here. The popularity of the genre is due to tantalizing sounds and the simplicity of the musical arrangements. It is quite easy to "catch on" to the music.
Video credits : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC17ft55p-g&t=24s
I am most familiar with Cuban styles of music. This may be due to the close distance the island nation is to my home country the Bahamas.Or, it may be due to international recognition Cuban musicians acquired over the years bringing the music to the people. Celia Cruz born in 1925 was one of the most popular Latin artist of the 20th century. Her unique fusion of Afro Cuban musical styles like the baracha, rumba, son and balerio makes her a versatile artist. Because of the political turmoil in her country at the time, she left and settled in the United States. Here she became well versed in different styles of music. She brought a unique Cuban sound to jazz. She not only performed these songs , but due to her ability to speak Spanish, did also have a hand in composing a few pieces.
This photo depicts the late Celia Cruz a versatile Cuban international artist.
Photo credits: https://www.rollingstone.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/celia-cruz-ARD_20791710552.jpg
Now lets explore other aspects of versatility in the Spanish Caribbean. Today were are going to discuss the versatility of the origin of Spanish Caribbeans. Much of the descendants in these countries come from the continents of Africa, but did you know we have Spanish Caribbeans originating back to Asia. These may include countries like India, China or Japan. These settlors uniquely contributed to the diaspora of persons settling into these islands. Over time this blend created the authentic Caribbean experience. Despite all Spanish Caribbeans not being the same in appearance, they all share the same struggles, hardships, victories and triumphs.
Depicted above is a group of school aged children, all appearing to be a varied ethnic decent in Cuba.
Photo credits :http://blog.ricksteves.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/19-cuban-students-havana-diversity.jpg
If you made it to the end, Congratulations! You are now a certified Spanish Music in the Caribbean Versatilist. 
Be sure to share this blog with everyone you know!
Until next time signing off as
… Branee’ T. - Chief Versatilist Consultant
references
Davis, M. E., & Austerlitz, P. (2001). Dominican Republic. Oxford Music Online. https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.44000
Thompson, D. (2001). Puerto Rico. Oxford Music Online. https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.41092
YouTube. (2020, March 14). Spanish part 5. YouTube. Retrieved April 6, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzJV7_BZpvA&t=2s
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