BackgroundAt the end of the 19th century in the sugar cane and coffee plantations of the Cuba oriente or eastern region two different music styles began to combine: the rhythms of African slaves and the songs of the Spanish heritage. The result was a new music called son which then migrated to the capital Havana where the habaneros fell in love with it. They put their own stamp on it, speeding up the tempo and playing with sixmusicians ‘son’ was born and is today the most popular musical form in Cuba, made world famous by the Buena Vista Social Club™. Son is the music of Floridita. |
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Resident Floridita Bands:
Los Guanches
One of the best bands from Santiago de Cuba, the music capital of the island. They have toured worldwide with Eliades Ochoa for a number years including a circuit of several concerts on the USA. They feature on Floridita Musica Volume 1V - The music of Santiago.
El Guayabero
This famous band from Holguin in Cuba were once led by the late famous Faustino Orama Osorio who penned the popular Buena vista song ‘Candela’ as well as many other now famous Cuban songs. This band is part o f the Outstanding Catalogue from de Holguin Centre for Music. They have been touring throughout Latin America and parts of Europe for the last few years and we will catching them before they jet off to Italy to continue their tour.
Salsa Unica
This 9 piece Salsa band from Havana have been chosen for the energy that they exude whilst they perform. December is definitely party time and this band will ensure that nobody is left seated. Although they will be playing our more relaxed boleros and son for the first half of the evening, this band have the arsenal to step up a few notches and play the best of Cuban party music. If you are willing to sip a few cocktails and have a celebratory dance over Christmas then Floridita is the place to be.
Charanga Floridita
A group that evolved out of Música Floridita, Raymundo Aragon and German Obregon have performed numerous times both at the Floridita London and other venues around Europe. Charanga Floridita now encompass some of Cuba's best new talent. The group have over fourteen members, (though not necessarily all performing at the same time!). They have a strong following at all the Floridita venues and the European festival circuit. For the first time later this year German and Raymundo will tour separately
Cuarteto D Gala
They have toured extensively in France and Italy where they are enormously popular. They are renouwed throughout Havana as one of the most percussive and lively bands around and are one of the few quartets to tour with a marimbula Their repertoire is one of the widest ranging from the most beautiful boleros to some of Cubas most popular dance tunes. D'gala pack the punch of a band twice their size They were Havana Masters first Cuban Group at an Irish Festival went down a storm. The amazing quartet D Gala brought a bit of Cuban Party atmosphere to the 40 Foot ( The centre of the Festival of World Cultures ) which attracts musicians and artists from all over the world. They played a couple of sets and as these photos will testify they brought the house down. They will be back in Dublin before Xmas and are fast becoming one of the most sought after groups on the ever expanding Floridita circuit - see them here
