The overture is dominated by Caribbean rhythms and Cuban native percussion, with a wide spectrum of instrumental color and technique.
It is a rich and exciting work with complexity and sophistication, illustrating the influence of Cuban music and dance.
It was renamed Cuban Overture three months later at a benefit concert conducted by Gershwin at the Metropolitan Opera to avoid giving audience the idea that it was simply a novelty item.
A composer's note in the score instructs specific placement of the Latin American percussion instruments including bongo, claves, gourd, and maracas "right in front of the conductor's stand", with pictures.
On September 22, 2013, it was announced that a musicological critical edition of the full orchestral score will be eventually released.