Havana Mambo Festival Celebrates the Legacy of Dámaso Pérez Prado with Music and Dance

The vibrant pulse of Cuban music filled the air as the third edition of the Habana Mambo Festival recently took place in Havana, Cuba, an island renowned for its rich musical heritage. Spearheaded by the esteemed organizer and president, Arnaldo Rodríguez TALISMÁN, the festival paid homage to the 107th anniversary of the birth of Dámaso Pérez Prado, known as the 'King of Mambo,' with festivities kicking off on December 11th, his birthday.

International Symposium "Dale Mambo"

A highlight of the event was the 'Dale Mambo' International Symposium, led by experienced musicologist and producer Cary Diez and her colleague Yurien Heredia, a professor and researcher at the Cuban Music Research and Development Center. Linking various music genres, sounds, and dance expressions, the symposium took participants on a cultural journey that included the exploration of the influence of Arará heritage on Cuban rhythms and dances, presented by expert Teresita Baró from the National School of Art, to a documentary entitled From Mambo to Hip Hop by American filmmaker Henry Chalfant, introduced by Argentine-American anthropologist Melisa Riviere.

Homages and Performances

Throughout the festival, there were tributes to living legends of Cuban popular music such as Orquesta Aragón and El Piquete Típico Cubano, celebrating artistic milestones like the 15th anniversary of the Young Jazz Band under the direction of Maestro Joaquín Betancourt. The event also featured presentations from emerging and established researchers, new music releases, audiovisual launches, and mini-concerts by groups like El Piquete Típico and Banda Real Maravilloso.

The festival concluded with a high-energy performance by Los Muñequitos de Matanzas at the Casa de la Música de Miramar, showcasing the rich musical tradition hailing from Pérez Prado's own birthplace, Matanzas.

Perspectives from Musicians and Scholars

Renowned Cuban flutist Orlando Valle, Maraca, encapsulated the festival's spirit by emphasizing the importance of this event, combining intelligence with heart, fostering knowledge exchange, and reinforcing cultural identity for future generations. Pianist and producer Emilio Vega lauded the colloquium, highlighting Cuba's unrivaled musical wealth. The festival, according to National Music Award winner Maestro Joaquín Betancourt, was characterized by its warmth, spontaneity, and passion—qualities inherent in Cuban music and people.

festival, music, dance