About the music

     About the music 

SON de Cuba: The steady, machine – like rhythm of the Bongo punctuated with a sudden crack! The  ancient , earthy meter of Maracas woven together with the insistent tumbao heartbeat of the Bass and the sunny, ringing montunos of the Tres supporting the call and response vocals bringing messages from the mountains announced in soaring Trumpet accents. This is Cuba’s exciting musical legacy to the world and Primo Cubano is honored to be able to recreate it live for audiences in Maine and beyond. Formed in 2006 by band leader Paul D’Alessio after an inspiring visit to Brunswick Maine’s sister city, Trinidad de Cuba, Primo Cubano is a five – piece band committed to rendering the Cuban SON faithfully for audiences back home who otherwise would probably not be able to experience it live. SON originated in the mountainous eastern end of Cuba called Oriente. This rugged and remote region has sheltered refugees and rebels from pre-columbian times to the Cuban Revolution. Here the music grew out of the life of the mountain farmers and moved down into the cities of the island and the world, giving rise to various forms of popular latin music including Salsa. The standard five - piece instumentation of Bongo, Maracas, Upright bass, Tres and trumpet emerged in the early 20th century and this is the format used by Primo Cubano. Most of the lyrics of the songs deal with themes of country life, hard work, dancing and love and are often humorous even when they sound very serious.