Global Beats: Cuban Overture

DJ and producer Gilles Peterson uncovers the unique music that is made when young Cuban musicians fuse worldwide influences with a distinctly Cuban sound. He talks to La Reyna y La Real, a hip hop duo who address issues facing Cuban women over beats sampling salsa and cha cha cha. They perform their song Let The Rice Burn.

Eme Alfonso performs with her parents Carlos Alfonso and Ele Valdes as Sintesis, one of Cuba’s most successful bands of the 80s and 90s. Eme’s own songs draw from the music she discovered while touring the world and Havana street sounds.

Giles talks to El Niño y La Verdad, 26-year-old bandleader and self-professed “champion of 100% popular dance music”. Yissy Garcia is a percussionist and leader of jazz ensemble Broadband. She premieres a new track called Breaking News – a tribute to Cuban radio. And, Dayme Arocena, 23-year-old jazz singer and choir leader, records a session live from Havana’s legendary Egrem Studios.

Produced by Paul Smith

Broadcast: August 2015