Bara-rumba
Bara-rumba is an Afro-Cuban Folkloric Percussionist/Dance and Song Troupe. This folkloric group has developed a unique style. Vibrant, pounding rhythms, sensuous, sexy courtship dances, fire breathing, glass walking and glass eating, are only a sample of the variety of their performances. From the courtly son to the pulsating congo, Bara-rumba performs over 35 dances.
The group consists of 7 percussionists/singers and 11+ dancers. They are:
Felipe Santiago Saname, Director and percussion
Felix Cruzata Rigores, Percussion and administrator
Juan E Silva Urguelles, Percussion and singer
Nicolas Fernandez Arguelles, Tres player and singer
David Gonzalez Suarez, Singer and Musical director
Hector Lopez Milian, 2nd dancer
Eider Lopez Milian, Principal dancer and choreographer
Glauder Jimenez Paumier, 3rd male dancer and soloist
Jorge Luis Bernot Toirac, 4th male dancer
Giorbis Legra Rodriguez, 5th male dancer
Esleider Guilarte Matos, 6th male dancer
Madelaine Fernandez Matos, female dancer
Yenise Mora, female dancer
Aile Marcial Delfino, Dancer and singer
Iala Guilleaux Alo, Principal female dancer
Roberto Danilis Acosta Cuza
Yanieski Chivaz Linares
The percussion section consists of three drums, the bass (bajo), middle drum or segunda, and the highest pitch solo drum, called the quinto. Other typical instruments are the marimbula, a combination of a drum box and an African finger piano, a cowbell called a cencerro, claves or sticks, guagua, made from bamboo, maracas or shakers, the osero or bongos and the tres, or Cuban guitar.
Everyone sings in Bara-rumba; the dancers as well as the musicians. The call and response style of singing and their spine-tingling harmonies are derived from their Congolese roots.
Of the male dancers, the twins Eider and Hector are the stars. They are real crowd pleasers with their big smiles, feats of athleticism and powerful dances. The beautiful female dancers perform dances that vary from sensuous swaying movements to pulsating, foot stomping rhythms. Bara-rumba is “goosebump” material.