La Polémica – Afro-Cuban Rhythm, Song & Dance
Juanita Euka (voice) David Pattman (percussion & voice) David Rahman (percussion & voice) Gaspar Sena (percussion & voice) Keryl Brown (percussion & voice) Vicky Jassey (percussion & voice)
Rumba is a secular Afro-Cuban musical tradition that emerged in Cuba from a rich blend of African-derived and Spanish musical influences. Rooted in community and celebration, it brings together percussion, song and dance and has traditionally flourished in homes, courtyards and neighbourhood gatherings.
Drawing on these traditions, La Polémica brings a distinctly British voice to Cuban folkloric music, bringing together some of the UK’s leading percussionists and specialists in Afro-Cuban music.
At the heart of the music are the interlocking rhythms of congas, cajon and other percussion, alongside call-and-response singing and the dynamic relationship between rhythm, song and dance. La Polémica draws on different Afro-Cuban musical traditions and rumba styles while bringing together the individual voices, experiences and influences of its UK-based musicians.
Energetic, rhythmic and deeply communal, La Polémica celebrates rumba as a living tradition: music that brings people together, invites participation and continues to evolve wherever it is played.
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