Figures

Musicians, composers, dancers, scholars, and filmmakers whose work is referenced throughout this site — the people who made Cuban music and dance what it is.

These are the people who shaped Cuban music and dance — from the composers who created the earliest danzón and son, to the bandleaders who built timba"> timba, to the scholars and filmmakers who documented it. Each figure is linked to the pages on this site where their work appears.

• Alain Pérez — Bassist, singer, composer (1971)
• Alexander Abreu — Trumpeter, singer, bandleader (1974)
• Alfredo Rodríguez — Pianist (1936–2022)
• Alma Guillermoprieto — Journalist, author, dancer
• Amadito Valdés — Timbales (1946)
• Aniceto Díaz — Composer, musician (1887–1964)
• Antonio Arcaño — Flutist, bandleader (1911–1994)
• Antonio María Romeu — Pianist, bandleader (1876–1955)
• Arsenio Rodríguez — Musician, composer, bandleader (1911–1970)
• Benny Moré — Singer, bandleader (1919–1963)
• Carlos Embale — Singer (1923–1997)
• Celia Cruz — Singer (1925–2003)
• César "Pupy" Pedroso — Pianist, composer, bandleader (1946)
• Chocolate Armenteros — Trumpeter (1928–2016)
• Compay Segundo — Guitarist, singer (1907–2003)
• Dámaso Pérez Prado — Pianist, arranger, bandleader (1916–1989)
• David Calzado — Musician, bandleader (1958)
• David Peñalosa — Percussionist, educator, author
• Desi Arnaz — Singer, actor, producer (1917–1986)
• Elio Revé — Musician, bandleader (1930–1997)
• Enrique Bonne — Musician, composer (1926–2013)
• Enrique Jorrín — Violinist, composer (1926–1987)
• Felipe Cabrera — Bassist
• Félix Chapottín — Trumpeter (1909–1983)
• Giovanni Hidalgo — Conguero (1963)
• Giraldo Piloto — Drummer, bandleader (1968)
• Ibrahim Ferrer — Singer (1927–2005)
• Ignacio Cervantes — Composer, pianist (1847–1905)
• Ignacio Piñeiro — Musician, composer, bandleader (1888–1969)
• Isaac Delgado — Singer, bandleader (1962)
• Israel "Cachao" López — Bassist, composer (1918–2008)
• Joel Domínguez — Bassist
• Changuito — Drummer, percussionist (1948)
• José Luis Cortés — Flutist, composer, bandleader (1951)
• Juan Formell — Bassist, composer, bandleader (1942–2014)
• Kevin Moore — Musician, educator, author
• Machito — Singer, bandleader (1908–1984)
• Manolín — Singer, bandleader (1965)
• Manuel Saumell — Composer, pianist (1817–1870)
• María Antonia Fernández — Scholar, author
• Miguel "Angá" Díaz — Percussionist (1952–2006)
• Miguel Faílde — Musician, composer (1852–1921)
• Miguelito Valdés — Singer, bandleader (1912–1978)
• Mongo Santamaría — Conguero, bandleader (1917–2003)
• Ned Sublette — Musician, producer, author
• Niño Rivera — Tres player, composer (1919–1996)
• Ninón Mondéjar — Musician, bandleader (1918–1993)
• Omara Portuondo — Singer (1930)
• Orestes López — Cellist, composer (1908–1991)
• Pancho Amat — Tres player (1950)
• Paulito FG — Singer, bandleader (1962)
• Pepe Sánchez — Composer (1856–1918)
• Richard Egües — Flutist, composer (1923–2006)
• Rita Montaner — Singer, actress, pianist (1900–1958)
• Roberto Fonseca — Pianist (1975)
• Rubén González — Pianist (1919–2003)
• Ry Cooder — Guitarist, producer (1947)
• Sergio González — Pianist
• Sindo Garay — Composer, guitarist (1867–1968)
• Tata Güines — Conguero (1930–2008)
• Tito Puente — Timbales, bandleader, composer (1923–2000)
• Tito Rodríguez — Singer, bandleader (1923–1973)
• Wim Wenders — Film director (1945)
• Yvonne Daniel — Scholar, dancer, author