Alain Pérez
Bassist and vocalist who worked with Irakere and Isaac Delgado — Alain Pérez is one of the most versatile Cuban bass players of his generation, equally capable in timba"> timba, jazz, and son contexts.
About
Alain Pérez was born in Santiago de Cuba and developed his bass technique in the eastern Cuban tradition before moving to Havana, where he worked with major groups including Irakere — Cuba's premier jazz-fusion ensemble — and with Isaac Delgado's timba"> timba band. He has also released material as a solo artist and vocalist.
His bass playing reflects the range of Cuban music from its traditional roots through its contemporary timba"> timba expression. Working with Irakere gave him a sophisticated harmonic and jazz vocabulary; working with Delgado gave him direct experience in the timba"> timba tradition's specific rhythmic demands.
A Cuban popular dance music genre that emerged in the 1980s–90s
- emerged in the 1980s–90s
- influenced by songo, rumba, funk, blues, jazz, pop, rock and Afro-Cuban rhythms.
- Known for complex rhythm shifts, aggressive bass lines, and high energy that push dancers to improvise.
Lees meer >Timba, the explosive and rhythmically rich genre of Cuban dance music, transformed how the bass functions in popular music. In timba"> Timba, the bass is not just foundational — it’s fiery, funky, and free.
Lees meer >Son dance is the foundation of all Cuban popular partner dancing — smooth, intimate, grounded, and musical. Every Cuban dance style that followed ( mambo"> mambo, casino, timba"> timba) builds on the body vocabulary and structure established by son.
Lees meer >Cuban Dances Originating in Havana
Havana, the cultural heartbeat of Cuba, played a central role in the creation and evolution of several iconic Cuban dances. Some were born directly in the capital, while others were transformed there into the forms we know today.
Lees meer >Timba is the music this site is dedicated to exploring. It emerged as a distinct genre in the late 1980s and crystallized in the early 1990s — born in a moment of social crisis, built on the full accumulated history of Cuban music, and still evolving today.
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