The evolution of Cuban popular dance music: transnationalism, transculturation and the music continuum of popular dance music from colonial times to the present

Thesis (M.M.) California State University, Los Angeles, 2012Committee members: Paul De Castro, Paul J. De Castro, Robert Fernandez, John M. KennedyAfro-Cuban, Afro-Latin, Cuba, Popular dance music, Transculturation, TransnationalismCuban popular dance music has had a tremendous influence in the music of cultures around the globe. In this study, Cuban popular dance music was analyzed through the lens of transnationalism to reveal the presence of the process of transculturation in the music continuum of the genre. Previous studies have revealed individual analysis (historical, political, economical, sociological and musical) of genres with out establishing a connection of the ongoing musical dialogue among musical genres that ultimately took shape as modern Cuban popular music. To observe Cuban popular music as part of a musical continuum that germinated during the colonial period, an analysis of the historical, sociological, political and musical background and elements is set to create an understanding of its evolutionary development