The Clave Chronicles

Rebecca is joined by DJ Garo, one of the curators of a recently released compilation called Cuban Beat and Fantasia (1970-1980), relatively unknown fusion styles from the 1970s. Raised in the Cuban hip hop scene of the 1990s, Garo and fellow DJ/producer AfroQbano went "diggin in the crates" to find these rare beat and fantasia records, which fused Cuban popular music with Black American styles like funk and jazz. Songs played:El Bailador de mi Cuba, Grupo CandombeK1, Grupo VCSolo por Tí, Maggie Carles & Luis Nodal & Los MagnéticosMi Quimbín, Los BocucosSend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Raúl Fernandez joins Rebecca again to pay tribute to one of Cuba's greatest congueros, Carlos "Patato" Valdés, in honor of the centenary of his birth.Songs played:La Conga del Casino, Conjunto CasinoCuban Patato Chip, Herbie MannDescarga Cubana, Cal TjaderDilo Como Yo, Patato y ToticoLa Comparsa, Bebo ValdésSend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

We're remembering Willie Colón, the pioneering Nuyorican trombonist who was a key figure in the rise of Fania Records and New York-based salsa. Marisol Negrón, author of Made in NuYoRico: Fania Records, Latin Music, and Salsa’s Nuyorican Meanings, joins Rebecca to discuss Colón's contributions, collaborations with Hector Lavoe, and his complex legacy as an artist whose politics were seemingly at odds with the persona he created, "El Malo," early on in his career.Songs played:"El Malo""Canto a Borinquen""El Cantante""El Gran Varón"Send us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Ethnomusicologist Ben Lapidus joins Rebecca again to discuss the life and legacy of Cuban pianist Lilí Martínez Griñan, a Guantanamero who joined Arsenio Rodriguez's band in the 1940s and quickly became his right-hand man in terms of composition and arranging. Lapidus is the editor of a new anthology in Spanish, El hombre y su música: Lilí Martínez Griñán.Songs played:Tumba Palo Cucuyé, Arsenio Rodriguez y Su ConjuntoMira...Cuidadito, Arsenio Rodriguez y Su ConjuntoCero Guapos en Yateras, Arsenio Rodriguez y Su ConjuntoAlto Songo, Chappotín y Sus EstrellasMi Changüí Son, Estrellas de ChocolateEl Divorcio, Arsenio RodriguezLa Candela, Los Van VanMusica Suave, El Niño y La VerdadSend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Ethnomusicologist Robin Moore joins Rebecca to discuss the subject of his forthcoming book, Violín: Mediating Musical Style and Devotional Practice in 21st-Century Cuba. As music used to accompany ceremonies for the ancestors and orishas, violines have been growing in recent decades in Cuba, and are an example of an increasingly hybrid musical approach to worship in Cuba. Songs played (all by Orquesta Estrellas Cubanas except where noted):Ave MariaPlegaria a ObbataláTwo versions of Sea El Santísimo - second one by Ifa Fore & Pepe y Sus TamboresDanzón Virgen de ReglaOchímini IISend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

The most beloved Cuban musician of all time was born on this day 100 years ago: Celia Cruz. We're honoring her with a brand new episode featuring Delia Poey, a professor at Florida State University who has written extensively about Celia's Career. Songs played:QuimbaraField recording of Afrocuba de Matanzas' version of QuimbaraChango Ta' VeníQue Le Den CandelaUsted AbusóSend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Columbia University professor and trombonist Chris Washburne joins Rebecca to pay tribute to "el rumbero del piano," Eddie Palmieri, one of Latin music's most significant pioneers. His music straddled salsa, Latin jazz, and other genres, and he was known for his innovative experimentation in form and harmony.Songs played:AzúcarEl día que me quierasBroken home & If (We had peace today), from the Harlem River Drive projectPuerto RicoRebecca's recent piece on Eddie Palmieri:https://www.grammy.com/news/how-eddie-palmieri-changed-latin-music-obituarySend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Cuban journalist Rafa Escalona joins Rebecca to talk about the latest trends in Cuban music, including how hard it is to track this information on the island and how recent out-migration has affected the evolution and definition of "música cubana." While contemporary Cuban music is of course dominated by reparto, the songs shared by Rafa provide a broader look into the latest trends.Songs played:Un Momentico + — Melanie Santiler & Dale PututiAndala Remix — Wildey, Musteerifa & Raydel El Q MandaSuite Para Isaac Oviedo — Jorge Iván Martín feat. Juan Carlos AguileraAmanacer Sin Ti — Albita & LenierTertuliando — Angel Toirac feat. LINKSNewness Cuba playlist (50 best songs in Cuban music from the past year): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gPyKTGHHQy16z7YO2lhHVCuba Tracklist (Instagram account with weekly lists of most popular Cuban tracks): https://www.instagram.com/cubatracklist/Rafa's Substack: https://divagacionesmusicales.substack.com/A recent piece Rafa wrote (in Spanish) about reparto and YouTube: https://revistaelestornudo.com/reparto-youtube-dicen-charts-musica-cubana/Send us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Kevin Moore is back to help us pay tribute to one of timba's brightest stars, Paulito FG (EPD), who died tragically on March 1.Songs played:El humo o la vida, Dan Den feat. Paulito FGY ahora que,Percussion and vocal track for Entre Dos AmigosNo te lo creas, Laura (demo track) El puntoSend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

Finally, we're back with a brand new episode, inspired by Bad Bunny's love letter to Puerto Rico, Debí Tirar Más Fotos! We get deep into the weeds of the Puerto Rican musical and political traditions that are referenced in Bad Bunny's wide-ranging, exquisitely produced album. Joining Rebecca are Puerto Rican musician and educator Hector Lugo (founder of the Bay Area Latin roots band La Mixta Criolla), and Puerto Rican writer, translator and Bad Bunny scholar Carina del Valle Schorske.Songs played:A Guayama, Desde Cero Si Yo Fuera Alcalde, Chuíto el de BayamónAires de Navidad, Hector Lavoe & Willie ColónLa Huelga, La Mixta CriollaSend us Fan MailSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple PodcastsFind The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicleshttps://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.comIntro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions