Music

Sierra Maestra coming to Exeter Phoenix (news)

09th February 2010

Cuba’s finest trad 'son' group, Sierra Maestra, are set to visit the Exeter Phoenix on March 14.

The combo have been stars of Cuban music ever since the late 1970s. They were the first group, and remain the best of the modern era, to play in the old-style 'son' line-up - tres, guitar, trumpet, bongo, güiro and vocals.

The 'son cubano' is a style of music that originated in Cuba and gained worldwide popularity in the 1930s.

Son combines the structure and elements of Spanish cancion and the Spanish guitar with African rhythms and percussion instruments of Bantu and Arara origin.

In New York City, it mixed with other musical styles to influence the creation of salsa music.

The Cuban son is one of the most influential and widespread forms of Latin American music - its derivatives and fusions have spread across the world.

Sierra Maestra have played a significant part in the recent global explosion in popularity of Cuban music.

Ex-leader Juan De Marcos Gonzalez created the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Buena Vista Social Club and trumpet player Jesus Alemany created his group Cubanismo.

New tres, percussion and trumpet players, and now a new singer join the original members to make the group line-up the strongest ever.

Tickets for the Exeter show cost £12/£10 on 01392 667 080.

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