The History of Cuban Jazz: Part Three

In this Jazz Minute, we continue tracing the evolution of Afro-Cuban jazz following the Cuban Revolution of 1959. As life on the island changed, jazz was discouraged and musicians were steered toward classical training—but outside influences persisted through radio and recordings. By the late 1960s, artists began blending Cuban rhythms with rock and pop, giving rise to songo. Meanwhile, salsa surged in New York, carried by Cuban-born innovators like Celia Cruz, Chucho Valdés, Paquito D’Rivera, and Arturo Sandoval. Their groundbreaking work—especially with Irakere—fused jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban traditions, drawing inspiration from artists like Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. These innovations set the stage for timba in the 1990s, a style that continues to evolve today.

Our 2025–26 Season celebrates many of Cuba’s greatest artists, including the Chucho Valdés Royal Quartet, who will be performing at the SFJAZZ Center on June 11-14.