The chronological timeline Cuba

1492

Columbus and his three ships explored the northern coast of Cuba

1725

Esteban Salas y Castro was born. (1725-1803)

A composer of religious music.

A pioneer in music development and modernization in ecclesiastical music.

1803

Esteban Salas y Castro died. (1725-1803)

1817

Manuel Samuel Robredo was born. (1817-1870)

Composer and the first Cuban composer to cultivate musical nationalism

1868

Cuba’s national anthem “La Bayamesa”was performed for the first time during the battle of Bayamo in the Ten Year’s War written by Pedro Figueredo but it was not adopted.

1886

Slavery was abolished

1870

Manuel Samuel Robredo died. (1817-1870)

1896

Ernesto Lecuona was born. (1896-1963)

Composer and pianist. Founded the Havana symphony.

The most important musician of Cuba and he have raised Cuban music to classical status and

1898

Cuba was freed from Spanish rule

1911

Jose Ardevol was born. (1911-1981)

Composer and conductor. HisTres ricercari (1936) marks to an extent a turning point between this period and a move towards a neo-classical style with nationalist tendencies that incorporated both Spanish and Cuban elements

1915

Chano Pozo was born. (1915-1948)

Drummer, singer and dancer. Provided a starting point for much of the popular music of the late 1940’s and the 1950’s

1918

Cachao (Israel Lopez) was born. (1918-2008)

Bassist and composer best known for his contributions to the development of the mambo genre in the late 1930’s

Bebo Valdez was born. (1918-Present)

Pianist, composer and arranger. Introduced Afro-Cuban religious rhythms to popular styles

1925

Julian Orbon was born. (1925-1991)

Spanish Cuban music was influenced by a wide range of musical and literary interest including catholic liturgy, Gregorian chant, the music of Falla and the Halffters, and contemporary poetry

Celia Cruz was born. (1925-2003)

Renowned internationally as “The Queen of Salsa” as well as “La Guarachera de Cuba”.

The most influential female singers in the history of Cuba

1940

National anthem “La Bayamesa” was officially adopted.

1948

Paquito D’Rivera was born. (1948-Present)

Alto-saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and bandleader. Considered a child prodigy and won 8 Grammy awards.

Chano Pozo died. (1915-1948)

1949

Arturo Sandoval was born. (1949-Present)

Trumpeter, pianist, and composer. He is a musician of epic proportions and a protégé of jazz. One of Latin jazz music founders.

1957

Gloria Estefan was born. (1957-Present)

One of the top Cuban recording artist. Won 7 Grammy’s. Her group “The Miami Sound Machine” achieved success at the English language crossover. Recipient of the highest award bestowed to a naturalized American citizen, The Ellis Island Congression Medal of Honor.

1963

Ernesto Lecuona died. (1896-1963)

1981

Jose Ardevol died. (1911-1981)

1991

Julian Orbon died. (1925-1991)

2003

Celia Cruz died. (1925-2003)

2008

Cachao (Israel Lopez) died. (1918-2008)

Thanks for Madeline Herrera' s work.