Afro Cuban Jazz-events in London

Afro-Cuban Jazz is a vibrant subgenre that emerged in the 1940s, fusing the improvisational elements and harmonic sophistication of American jazz with the complex rhythmic structures and percussion of traditional Afro-Cuban music. Its origins lie in collaborations between Cuban musicians like Mario Bauzá and Machito, and American jazz artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, particularly in New York City. Characterized by a strong emphasis on syncopated rhythms, often driven by instruments like congas, bongos, timbales, and maracas alongside standard jazz instrumentation (trumpet, saxophone, piano, bass, drums), it typically features energetic, danceable tempos and a celebratory, often fiery mood. This fusion created a distinct sound that significantly influenced the broader Latin jazz movement.