Bebo Valdés and the Rhythm 'Batanga'

01/22/2005 03:41PM

Contributed by: ARomero

(Prensa Latina) Havana, Cuba - Bebo Valdés is one of the most famous Cuban musicians, as well as his son Jesús "Chucho" Valdes. Day after day, international media review their albums, or Bebo´s solo performance or along with Diego El Cigala, their album Lagrimas Negras and other songs which became hits on his style.

However, not many recall that from June 1952, he performed at the RHC Cadena Azul, (radio station with 11 subsidiaries all over Cuba, second in the national rating, then owned by Amado Trinidad Velasco), where the world debut of a new rhythm, Batanga, took place. After the first show Sunday June 14, at 1.30 p.m., the following Sundays in June he performed in similar times, promoting the new rhythm. From July on and during the months he performed in the show, along with his 22-piece band, the program was broadcast daily from 8.00 to 8.30 p.m.

Let this be an example of the relation between the Cuban music and the media decades ago.

[Buy Lagrimas Negras].


World Music Central
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org/article.php/20050122154131214