Charanga (Cuba)

"Scholars agree that Spain and parts of West and Central Africa provided the most crucial influences in the development of Cuban popular and religious music.

Charanga began its history in the early nineteenth century when Haitians, both African and French, escaped the island's revolution.

They brought with them a love for the French contredanse, a multi-sectional dance form that evolved into the danzón, the quintessential charanga style.

While the orquesta típica was raucous in a New Orleans jazz fashion, the charanga francesa produced a light and somewhat effete music.

"[1] The first charanga francesa in Cuba was formed at the turn of the twentieth century, possibly by Antonio (Papaíto) Torroella (1856–1934), whose orchestra was active by 1894.