La Rumba de Yuniscleyvis in New York
Featuring members of Los Munequitos de Matanzas, Roman Diaz, and Clave y Cuba at the Iconic Venue Nublu
On June 4, 2024, La Rumba de Yuniscleyvis rocked New York’s Rumba scene. Held at Nublu, an iconic live music venue in the Lower East Side, the powerful performance ignited summer vibes and had the crowd hype and dancing all night.
The collaboration featured New York's finest Rumberos alongside members of Los Munequitos de Matanzas, including Barbaro, Yuniscleyvis, and Jaime Ramos. Acclaimed Cuban percussionist Roman Diaz also joined the ensemble, adding his talent to the mix. Diaz is a living repository of Afro-Cuban folklore, music, and culture and a master of percussion and the sacred Bata Drums.
Video: Courtesy of Paul Park
Musicians: Yuniscleyvis Ramos, Jaime Ramos, Roman Diaz, Onel Matos, Ivan Moreno, Amaury Acosta, Roger Consiglio, Carolina Oliveros, Maximo Izquierdo, Dylan Blanchard, and Tito Sandoval Dancers: Barbaro Ramos and Isabel Estrada Jamison
Los Munequitos de Matanzas, one of the most successful and critically acclaimed rumba groups, have preserved and elevated Afro-Cuban traditions for decades, becoming cultural ambassadors of this rich musical heritage. The Ramos family represents this legacy in the United States.
The performance featured musical genres from Abakuá and Orisha to Rumba. A highlight of the night was Barbaro Ramos's mesmerizing machete dance during the Columbia portion of the performance, celebrating ancestral lineages from West Africa and the Caribbean. The crowd experienced firsthand the defining sights and sounds of Afro-Cuban musical traditions. Isabel Estrada Jamison's dance performance of Orisha Oya was also unforgettable.
La Rumba de Yuniscleyvis, curated by Moment NYC and Chris Theberge, showcased the powerful influence of Afro-Cuban music, uniting the community and celebrating rich musical traditions in the heart of New York City’s Lower East Side. Clave Y Cuba was proud to be part of this memorable event.
