What is Son?
“Son” is a word in the Spanish language that means “sound” or “tone,” but in Cuba, Son is known as a musical and danceable genre. The genre was made popular in Havana in 1909 by a group from the eastern regions of Cuba, although it may have existed as early as the 16th century.

However, Son is not an old-fashioned or extinct genre — today, it is (once again) interpreted by many Cuban bands and was also the foundation of the genre now commonly known as “Salsa.” A very well-known example of Son music is the song “Chan Chan” by the Buena Vista Social Club.

The dance performed to Son music is a very elegant, “courteous” partner dance based on a strong connection between the dancers. You could say that the dance tells the story of a romantic rendezvous. At first, the dancers greet each other and begin to get to know one another through cautious, introductory steps. Later in the dance, more challenging figures, such as Tornillos and Planchas, may be introduced. Overall, however, the dance remains especially elegant and fluid.