1940s Son cubano

conjunto de arsenio rodríguez ca. 1949.

in 1940s, arsenio rodríguez became influential player of son. used improvised solos, toques, congas, trumpets, percussion , pianos, although these elements had been used (papauba – para bailar son montuno). beny moré (known el bárbaro del ritmo, master of rhythm ) further evolved genre, adding guaracha, bolero , mambo influences. perhaps greatest sonero (castellano que bueno baila usted – vertiente camaguey ); important sonero roberto faz.

by late 1940s, son had lost controversiality among conservative cubans made less appealing cubans. development led decrease in popularity of original son occurred in 1940s. son grew more sophisticated adopted conjuntos, displaced sextetos , septetos. led big bands replacing conjuntos, managed keep flavor despite elaborate arrangements.

during 1940s , 1950s, tourism boom in cuba , popularity of jazz , american music in general fostered development of big bands , combos on island. these bands consisted of relatively small horn section, piano, double bass, full array of cuban percussion instruments , vocalist fronting ensemble. polished sound , cosmopolitan – read commercial – repertoire captivated both cuban , foreign audiences.

the commercialism of new music movement led cuban nightclub owners recognize revenue potential of hosting these types of bands attract growing flow of tourists. additionally, result of increasing popularity of big band music , in effort increase revenues, recording industry focused on producing newer types of music , removing son music repertoires. these developments big blow prospects of sonand popularity amongst cubans.

with arrival of cha-cha-chá , mambo in united states, son became extremely popular. after cuban revolution separated cuba u.s., son, mambo , rumba, along other forms of afro-cuban music contributed development of salsa music, in new york.

the mass popularization of son music led increased valorization of afro-cuban street culture , of artists created it. opened door other music genres afro-cuban roots become popular in cuba , throughout world. .