Afro-Cubans

The Afro-Cubans were a latin jazz band founded by Machito in 1940; often billed as Machito and his Afro-Cubans. Their musical director, and an important musical innovator, was Mario Bauza, Machito's brother-in-law.

Related Topics:
Latin jazz - Machito - Mario Bauza

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Afro-Cubans combined Cuban music with orchestrations derived from swing. As well, the Afro-Cubans played with and incorporated the music of many important figures in contemporary jazz, including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Flip Phillips, and Buddy Rich; but the association went both ways, as the latin rhythms of the Afro-Cubans strongly influenced the jazz scene in New York.

Related Topics:
Cuban music - Swing - Charlie Parker - Dizzy Gillespie - Flip Phillips - Buddy Rich

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

While the band reached its peak of popularity with the mambo craze of the 1950s, they continued to play for decades afterwards.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~