Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro de Cuba April 7, 2011

Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Piñeiro has been the greatest and first champion of the traditional sound of the Cuban son for more than 80 years. The ensemble performs some of the most treasured and well-known Cuban songs in the tradition of Ignacio Piñeiro Martínez, the legendary founder of the Septeto’s first incarnation in 1927 and one of the most important composers of son music. The group’s exceptional musicianship is firmly rooted in the musical explosion of Cuban son that took place during the 1920s and 1930s, evoking the nostalgic elegance of the dancing ballrooms and clubs of the era. It is impossible to resist the infectious rhythms of this celebrated ensemble — they are masters of Afro-Cuban rhythm and spirit, adding a splash of rumba to their son and delivering up-tempo fun. This band may be “official cultural ambassadors” from Cuba, but they know how to throw a dance party! Septeto Nacional recently played in the US for the first time since 1933.

Official Website: http://www.ums.org/s_current_season/artist.asp?pageid=626