Eat, Pray, Salsa in Santa Fe

By Marka Smith

Being an aficionado of live acoustic music in its myriad of forms, but especially Latin and African, my passion is always sparked by local bands that feature acoustic world music. One particular highlight on the Santa Fe music scene these days is Changui Son, an acoustic ensemble that performs authentic Cuban street music. Their repertoire originates in the streets, hillsides, kitchens, and social clubs of Cuba before the advent of nightclubs and the introduction of American jazz and big band sounds.

Changui Son, Santa Fe's authentic Cuban music ensemble

Changui Son, a six-piece ensemble of musicians, three of whom grew up in Cuba, draws upon the rich roots of Cuban music with songs spanning back to the 1700’s. Defined by the rhythms carried to Cuba by the early influx of slaves from Africa combined with European instruments and musical styles introduced by Spanish immigrants, the merging of the Spanish guitar and lyrical traditions with African polyrhythmic compositions creates a soulful kind of music that reaches beyond the barriers of language and time. (The 1997 recording, Buena Vista Social Club, popularized this genre of music in the mainstream, becoming an instant worldwide hit.)

Lead vocalist and percussionist Ramon Calderón usually takes time during a night’s performance to explain the various rhythms and demonstrate how the layering of parts played by each musician creates a complex rhythm that is the foundation that the lyrics and melody are suspended upon. Calderon’s in-depth knowledge of the origins of each song including the context in which it was originally sung, and his obvious passion for his mother-tongue, engages the audience to appreciate even more this music that seems both foreign and familiar.

And the best part is that Changui Son usually performs where there is a dance floor! Their loyal fans, ranging from 18 to 88, novice to expert, come out to salsa, rhumba, mambo, cha cha cha, and bolero ‘til the last beat is played. The band is a regular at Eldorado Hotel, which sets up a nice wooden dance floor for the live music program in their spacious lounge, and at La Fonda, where dancers meet the challenge of a saltillo floor. Visit Changui Son‘s Facebook page for their performance schedule and to listen to their music.

Band members are Ramon Calderon, vocals and percussion; Tito Carnet, vocals and guitar; Anthony Cabeza de Baca, vocals and bass; Fred Milder, tres (Cuban variation of the guitar); Rene Navarro, timbales and other percussion; and Chief Sanchez, trumpet.

Mambo, Salsa, and Cha Cha with Tony Perez, Mambo Fe

For those whose Latin dance experience is limited, there are several excellent instructors in Santa Fe who lovingly teach even the most rhythmically challenged how to get a little groove on. Two that I recommend are Tony Perez, director and choreographer of Mambo Fe Dance Company and founder of Mambo Fe, and Carlos Mora, founder and director of Santa Rueda. Both Tony and Carlos get their students out on the dance floor at the local establishments, creating a safe and comfortable community of dancers.

Next time you’re hungry for something authentic and heart-warming, treat yourself to some spicy Cuban salsa with Changui Son.

Read more about Cuban music at Wikipedia.