Tiempo Libre's members were all classically trained at Cuba's premiere conservatories during a time when it was illegal to listen to American songs on the radio. Now, the group is a hit in the U.S. and abroad, celebrated for its incendiary, joyful performances of timba, an irresistible, dance-inducing mix of high-voltage Latin jazz and the seductive rhythms of son. It is their mission to proudly share their musical heritage through their concerts, workshops, master classes with as wide an audience as possible, reinterpreting and reinvigorating traditional Cuban music with a youthful, modern sound and forging a new style incorporating their Afro-Cuban roots and their new American experience.
Their debut CD for Sony Masterworks, BACH IN HAVANA, unites the two musical worlds of the Tiempo Libre's Cuban childhoods. The album connects the rhythm and sensibilities of Afro-Cuban music with the compositions of Johann Sebastian Bach and features special guest appearances by the legendary Paquito D'Rivera and Cuban-born sax player, Yosvany Terry.
Born from a land where cultures collide and worlds merge, the music of Cuba is mysterious and seductive, earthly and otherworldly, intoxicating and irresistible. Now with BACH IN HAVANA, Tiempo Libre's members continue to simultaneously walk in two distinct worlds and celebrate the universality of music.
I know a lot of people are raving about how great it is, and certainly it is good. But it is more music for listening only as oppossed to the norm with Cuban music, which tends to be very danceable. The percussion is still playing a lot of Cuban rhythms, but the Piano does Bach instead of Guajeos and Montunos.
So if you are more into Jazz or Classical music this might be a good fit.