Cuban Salsa

6-week series

Learn Cuban Salsa with Sandy Perez

All levels welcome, no experience or partner necessary.

$75 for all 6 lessons, $15 single class

REGISTER ONLINE

BIO: Sandy Perez was born in Matanzas, Cuba in el barrio de la marina, the marina neighborhood.  As the poorest location in Matanzas, la marina overflows with cultural and spiritual riches.   Sandy is a descendant of the Villamil family and was raised amongst them playing sacred drums for the African deities and spirits in familial ceremonies.  His gift was quickly recognized by family, community and spirits alike and at the age of 16 gained his artistic position with Grupo Afrocuba de Matanzas, a cultural institution representing the varied and rich genres of afro-cuban folklore worldwide.

Sandy’s first international gig was with Cuban modern artist Manuel Mendive in 1996, travelling to Brazil with Cuban akpon (ceremonial lead singer) Lazaro Ros. There they melded art, culture, spirituality and music, joining the diasporic nations of Brazil and Cuba and discovering near lost connections. Before leaving Cuba, he toured Europe with Afrocuba, and later with experimental jazz musician Steve Coleman.

In 1999 he emigrated to the US and began teaching from coast to coast. He has played and recorded with countless musicians through many genres including Yosvany Terry, Steve Coleman, Miguel Anga, Daphnis Prieto, Olodum, los Munequitos de Matanzas, Pedrito Martinez- the list goes on and on.

In more recent years he has performed and presented at many Universities and museums including Harvard University, Humboldt State University, CSU Davis, Berklee College of Music, Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Peabody Essex Museum and the Rubin Museum of Art to name a few.

Sandy is a living lexicon of the language of the drum. His hands tell the sacred stories of his profound ancestry. His existence preserves these deep roots as he forges meaningful artistic connections crossing all boundaries of race, nationality and language.