Shows
The Clave ChroniclesThe latest in Cuban music with Rafa EscalonaCuban 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 Ag...2025-04-231h 19The Clave ChroniclesA tribute to Paulito FGKevin 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 a textSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!2025-03-201h 00The Clave ChroniclesBreaking down Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más FotosFinally, 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 Ba...2025-02-211h 28The Clave ChroniclesSend me your questions for a mailbag episode!Send us a textSupport 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 Productions2024-11-1204 minThe Clave ChroniclesA conversation with Cuban journalist Jesús Jank CurbeloCuban journalist Jesús Jank Curbelo joins Rebecca to speak about a range of topics, including the legacy of El Taiger, one of Cuba's most popular artists who was killed recently in Miami. We also talk about Curbelo's career in Cuba reporting on the reparto movement, as well as the pain of leaving Cuba and challenges of building a new life in Texas.Curbelo has published several pieces at the Texas Observer and Palabra.Conversation in Spanish. Follow along with an English-language transcript here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1El7dqfI2n-eTFs--dNryJI8OBsqXRhePszFu6I1P...2024-11-021h 06The Clave ChroniclesRosa Marquetti part 2: Celia in CubaPart 2 of Rebecca's conversation with Cuban music historian Rosa Marquetti. The second edition of her book Celia en Cuba (1925-1962) was recently published in Spanish, and will be translated into English next year. Conversation in Spanish. Follow along with an English-language transcript here:https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W8qgbzs7DHwP2JlTl3FDZfbCc2aLSFovv2SVxZSw3Xc/edit?usp=sharingSongs played:Quédate Negra, Celia con La Orquesta Leonard MelodyLa Sopa en Botella, Celia con La Sonora MatanceraSueños de Luna, Celia con La Sonora Matancera...2024-10-1843 minThe Clave ChroniclesCuban music historian Rosa Marquetti (part 1)Rebecca speaks with Cuban music historian Rosa Marquetti Torres, author of several books, including one on Chano Pozo and another one on Celia Cruz's career in Cuba—the Celia book has just been released in a new edition! Part 1 of our conversation covers the challenges of conducting research in Cuba and her work on Chano PozoConversation in Spanish. Follow along with an English-language transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WKJZoLnQJHo3t85_AMxsZ08p_nwPNZ_rZTBDTKmgoSQ/edit?usp=sharingSongs played:El pin pin, Chano PozoTin Tin Deo, Chano Poz...2024-10-0456 minThe Clave ChroniclesCorneta china & Cantonese opera: The Chinese musical legacyEthnomusicologist Edwin Porras joins Rebecca to speak about Chinese musical influences in Cuba, which date back to the mid-19th century. The double-reeded suona was adopted by Santiago conga groups around 1915, becoming an unmistakable musical signifier for conga santiaguera.**Fun fact: Cuba was the first destination for Chinese laborers in the Americas, before even the U.S.**Songs played:Example of Cantonese operaLion dancing musical accompaniment (field recording)Caridad Amaran and Georgina Wong performing excerpt of Cantonese opera in Havana (field recording)De Oriente a Occidente, Diana FuentesPaso...2024-09-191h 05The Clave ChroniclesCuban fusion and transnational scenesEva Silot Bravo joins Rebecca again to talk about her recently published book, Cuban Fusion: The Transnational Cuban Alternative Music Scene, which focuses on Cuban musicians who have migrated to New York, Madrid, and other major cities since the 1990s. They have created new transnational musical scenes, with some traveling back and forth between Cuba and abroad, fusing jazz, Afro-Cuban folkloric music, nueva trova and other genres.Songs played:Levitando, Ramon ValleBolero Filin, Gema Y PavelCafé, InteractivoSe Feliz, Fernando Alvarez & Descemer BuenoThe Magic Danzonete, Dafnis PrietoBaba E...2024-08-271h 01
The Clave ChroniclesFrom the Cuban Serenade podcast: Hilario Durán, The GeniusThis week The Clave Chronicles is sharing an episode of Cuban Serenade, a podcast exploring the history of Cuban music in Canada that's hosted by Freddy Monasterio and Karen Dubinsky. This episode focuses on the genius of Cuban-Canadian pianist/composer/arranger Hilario Durán. Follow Cuban Serenade on your favorite podcast platform!Send us a textSupport 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 Ap...2024-08-1034 minThe Clave ChroniclesThe Cuban-Canadian musical diasporaFreddy Monasterio, a Cuban-born researcher, educator and arts administrator based in Toronto, joins Rebecca to talk about the Cuban musical diaspora in Canada. He also co-hosts a podcast on the topic called Cuban Serenade.Songs played:La Reina del Norte, OKANCry Me a River, Hilario Duran and his Latin Jazz Big BandLa Ceiba de Mayuya, Luis Deniz GroupRebirth, Dee HernandezSend us a textSupport the showYou can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps!2024-07-191h 00