Cuba 50: Orquesta Aragon and Yoruba Andabo

A night of steaming Cuban dance music showcasing the African and rural roots of contemporary styles.

Produced by the Barbican and supported by Arts Council England
Part of Barbican Summer.

Marking their 70th birthday and founded in Cienfuegos, Orquesta Aragon became international stars during the cha-cha-cha boom of the 1950s and have come to exemplify the charanga tradition of the island – riffing strings and flutes, producing a lighter, folkier and more rural sound. Yoruba Andabo is a company of singers, percussionists and dancers performing original West African music styles. Born out of spontaneous musical get-togethers held at the Havana harbour in 1961, the group preserves and celebrates the irresistible power of Cuba’s African rhythms.