Music of Cuba

The group Obiní Batá has taught dozens on women how to play Afro-Cuban drums since it started in the early 1990s.

How a group of Cuban female musicians claimed a drum — and a tradition

May 5, 2023Music

The legendary group Obiní Batá is celebrating 30 years of music and women’s empowerment in Cuba. But the road to acceptance and success was not easy.

A black and white photo of Buena Vista Social Club members Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Comapy Segundo and Puntillita Licea.

25 years later, the Buena Vista Social Club still connects the world through old-school mambo

September 22, 2021Music

Havana’s death metal pioneers bucked authority and made waves for their art

September 26, 2014Music

Italian Rocker Zucchero Mixes Blues with Cuban Percussion

August 15, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

Music From the Cuban Land of Tobacco Fields

August 15, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

Global Hit – Yusa

August 14, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

Cuban music beyond the Buena Vista Social Club: The World’s Marco Werman introduces us to the island’s version of Joni Mitchell, a troubadour and eclectic songwriter named Yusa.

Global hit

August 14, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

The World’s Marco Werman has this appreciation of the man known as the “father of Congolese rumba.”

Global Hit

August 14, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

Ten years ago this month the Buena Vista Social Club played Carnegie Hall. The World’s William Troop tells us about this historic show.

Global Hit: Alex Cuba

August 14, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

The World’s Marco Werman introduces us to Cuban-Canadian musician, Alex Cuba. Cuba’s song “Agua del Pozo” went to number one on the iTunes Latino chart last week.

Global Hit – Gonzalo Ascencio

August 14, 2013Arts, Culture & Media

Anchor Lisa Mullins profiles Cuban songwriter, Gonzalo Ascencio. Known mostly by his nickname Tio Tom, he wrote hundreds of rumbas, but got little credit. Now 17 after his death, a new CD pays tribute to the man some call the “Irving Berlin of rumba.”