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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZRUMBAA group of African-derived Cuban instrumental, vocal and dance forms, e.g. columbia, guaguancó, yambú, evolved during slavery. Interlocking rhythms are produced using three conga drums, claves (two short sticks struck together) and palitos (two sticks struck on a hard, resonant surface). The term rumba or rumbon also refers to a community social activity, a party. Danilo Orozco in the BBC2 Arena film What's Cuba Playing At? '84 said that all Cuban music was made up of one or more of four forms: rumba, cancion (song), danzon and son; John Storm Roberts in The Latin Tinge says that rumba, son, son montuno and guaracha are all separate forms; one thing everyone agrees on is that the ballroom dance Americans call rumba or rhumba is actually a son. |