Son Yambu play authentic ‘Son Cubano’ or Cuban son – the essential Afro-Cuban music that originated in the streets of eastern Cuba at the turn of the last century. Son is a fusion of Spanish and African rhythms and is the root of all salsa music.
Formed in 2011, Son Yambu feature a new generation of (mainly) Cuban musicians who are all passionate about maintaining the traditions of the genre, continuing the Buena Vista legacy that put Cuban music back on the map in 1997.
‘Son Yambu are an acoustic septet with the real sound of Santiago De Cuba.’ Simon Broughton, London Evening Standard
‘The UK’s very own Buena Vista band….absolutely tremendous….if you don’t start to move to this there is no hope for you! Extraordinary music.’ Sean Rafferty, BBC Radio 3
Meet the band
On vocals, and minor percussion, Yuri is a true superstar, having performed with the likes of Cachaito of the Buena Vista Social Club. She is a born entertainer, and aficionados have likened her to a young Celia Cruz. Also on vocals and percussion are Tony Danger and Jose Cascaret both wonderful ‘soneros’ from Santiago De Cuba. The brilliant Manuel Alejandro Tellez on trés and backing vocals is another high-class performer.
Yambu’s rhythm section boasts the extraordinary talents of Reynaldo Crespo on Guitar, Oscar Vazquez Romero on bass, Rene ‘Menique’ Savigne on congas and Toby Herschmann on timbales. They’re the force that drives the music along. And soaring above it all, there’s the trumpet of virtuoso Victor Hechevarria who has toured world wide with several renowned Cuban bands and is an ex-member of the Santiago Symphony Orchestra.
