Listening guides, artist profiles and stories about son, rumba, timba and Afro-Cuban jazz. Explore the distinct histories and contemporary sounds of Cuban music through our contributors’ work.
ABC News recently profiled Fabio and Diego Abreu, two teenage musicians from Havana who are already reshaping the landscape of Cuban jazz. For me, their recognition on an international platform is both exciting and deeply personal. As a colleague of…
Havana is a city where every corner carries a melody. From traditional son and rumba to modern jazz, salsa, and timba, music flows through plazas, clubs, and living rooms. If you are deciding the best time to visit Havana for…
Cuba is a country where music flows through every street, home, and heart. Its vibrant rhythms, from son and salsa to classical and jazz, have earned global admiration. However, behind this rich cultural tapestry lies a reality where many musicians…
Past festival archive — reviewed September 2026: This article covers an earlier edition of Jazz Plaza. For current information, see our Havana Jazz Festival 2027 guide and 2027 Havana Jazz Festival Tour. This January, the Havana Jazz Festival celebrates its…
The Symbiotic Journey of Cuban Music and Jazz: From Havana to New Orleans and New York By Yami Cabrera (Cuban musicologist and Co-Director of Havana Music Tours and Musical Getaways) In the realm of music, few genres demonstrate the dynamic interplay of cultural…
Music Festivals in Cuba (Reviewed September 2026) Current tour note: Festival schedules and lineups can change. Havana Music Tours currently offers an open-signup Havana Jazz Festival Tour for January 26–February 1, 2027. The other festival itineraries below can be arranged…
Havana Music Tours’ 2024 Cuba Tours: A Look Back Historical tour archive — reviewed September 2026: This article preserves our 2024 tour lineup. Dates and availability below are historical. For current small-group and private options, see our current Cuba tours.…
What to Expect from the Havana Jazz Festival 2024 Past festival archive — reviewed September 2026: This article covers an earlier edition of Jazz Plaza. For current information, see our Havana Jazz Festival 2027 guide and 2027 Havana Jazz Festival…
The Global Influence of Cuban Music Cuban music is a rich tapestry that has not only shaped the island’s cultural identity but has also left a significant mark on the global music scene. Its rhythmic vitality and vibrant melodies reflect…
This is the announcement of a November 2023 tour. For a new trip, see our current tours and current U.S. Cuba travel guide. Tour Release Dear Music Enthusiasts and Cultural Explorers, we are overjoyed to share a unique and captivating…