Tracing the Roots and Rhythms: The Story of the Danzón

Tracing the Roots and Rhythms: The Story of the Danzón

The Danzón, often called the “National Dance of Cuba,” is far more than a musical genre—it’s a rhythmic story of migration, cultural fusion, and resilience.

Its roots stretch back to the 18th-century contradanza, a formal European dance composed in binary time with repeating musical sections. Born in the United Kingdom and adapted in France as the quadrille, it eventually made its way to the Caribbean through colonial movements and migration. A major turning point came in 1791, when the Haitian Revolution drove French settlers—and their musical traditions—into Cuba, especially the province of Oriente. Alongside them came string orchestras, artistic expression, and the contradanza.

Once in Cuba, this European dance was transformed through contact with African rhythms and local expressions, evolving into the habanera and the danza criolla—precursors to what we now recognize as the Danzón. This rich process of cultural merging is known as “transculturation,” a term coined by Cuban anthropologist Fernando Ortiz.

By the mid-19th century, Danzón existed both as a musical form and a dance, particularly among the Black communities in Matanzas. These early expressions involved vibrant, patterned group dances, often performed with carnival troupes and flower-filled torches.

In 1879, Cuban musician Miguel Faílde officially introduced the Danzón to the elite Liceo de Matanzas with his now-iconic piece Las Alturas de Simpson. Although initially met with controversy—like many close-coupled dances of the era—the Danzón soon gained wide acceptance and was declared Cuba’s national dance in 1887.

The genre continued to evolve. In 1910, José Urfé introduced the “montuno” section—a livelier, more improvisational segment that allowed for greater freedom in dance. Later came the danzonete, pioneered by Aniceto Díaz in 1929 with Rompiendo la Rutina, blending Danzón with vocal styles drawn from the Cuban son.

Over the decades, the Danzón would influence and give rise to other Cuban music forms like the bolero, mambo, and cha-cha-chá. It was a musical thread that stitched together the evolving soundscape of a nation.

Even in the 21st century, artists continue to innovate within the genre. In 2018, Maestro Bobby Ramirez composed La Reinita de Ritmo! Danzón, introducing a new structural element: the Cadenza. This segment, free of rhythm or defined musical pattern, features improvisational flute solos—highlighting how even a century-old genre can find new life.

While the Danzón has become less visible in contemporary Cuba, it continues to thrive in Mexico and among cultural circles abroad. As Cuban anthropologist Dr. Mercedes Cros Sandoval once said:
“Rescatar el Danzón es rescatar a Cuba.”
“To rescue the Danzón is to rescue Cuba.”

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RITMO! Danzón is a brand of the Cuban American Folkloric Institute, which includes its musical orchestra with a dance component. Founded by Cuban musician, flautist, composer, arranger, and producer Maestro Bobby Ramírez, and its director, presenter, stage and dance choreographer, and costume designer, Dr. Glenda Mujer Esperanza, PhD.

Our mission: with the blessing of God the Father, is to rescue the classic Cuban ballroom danzón; preserve, educate, promote, and celebrate the rich traditions of danzón and contradanza through cultural exchanges of music and folklore, dance workshops, lectures, and interactive dance performances for all ages.

Danzón Classes
We will teach you to dance danzón and contradanza at your own pace. No previous dance experience required. Learn more!