H85.1110 History & Criticism 2 Credits
Instructor(s): Staff
Starting with the elemental language of the Cuban son, the task of this seminar will be to analyze key moments in contemporary Cuban music from the 1930's to the present (both on the island and off), while necessarily gesturing towards the forces that worked to shape it. We will study the recordings of musicians and groups such as Maria Teresa Vera, Antonio Machin, Chano Pozo, Cuarteto d'Aida, Graciela Perez, La Lupe, Beny More, Willy Chirino, Los Van Van, Irakere, and Bamboleo. The class will use these recordings as a lens to read Cuban historical texts, musicological writings, oral histories, journalistic articles, poetry and novels.
