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    Tiempo Libre is a two-time Grammy-nominated Cuban timba band that aims to spread Cuban culture and music, especially timba, throughout the United States. Formed in Miami in 2001, the band plays an energetic style of music called timba that incorporates elements of salsa and African-American jazz. While some consider it just salsa, timba has its roots in Cuban son. The band's musical director, Jorge Gómez, sees the band's mission as educating American audiences about Cuban music beyond just the United States.

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    Tiempo Libre is a two-time Grammy-nominated Cuban timba band that aims to spread Cuban culture and music, especially timba, throughout the United States. Formed in Miami in 2001, the band plays an energetic style of music called timba that incorporates elements of salsa and African-American jazz. While some consider it just salsa, timba has its roots in Cuban son. The band's musical director, Jorge Gómez, sees the band's mission as educating American audiences about Cuban music beyond just the United States.

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    5 views1 page

    San Diego Union Tribune - Feature - 3!5!09

    Uploaded by

    larissa_slezak4570
    Tiempo Libre is a two-time Grammy-nominated Cuban timba band that aims to spread Cuban culture and music, especially timba, throughout the United States. Formed in Miami in 2001, the band plays an energetic style of music called timba that incorporates elements of salsa and African-American jazz. While some consider it just salsa, timba has its roots in Cuban son. The band's musical director, Jorge Gómez, sees the band's mission as educating American audiences about Cuban music beyond just the United States.

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    THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE

    EVENTOS LATINOS
    Best bet: Tiempo Libre,
    ambassadors of Cuban music
    March 5, 2009

    Tiempo Libre has a very clear mission: To take Cuban culture and music, especially timba, across the United States.

    “We want people in this country to know, to understand, and to appreciate Cuba's roots,” said Jorge Gómez, pianist and
    musical director of Tiempo Libre, playing Saturday in San Diego. “This is a big world, not everything is the United States.”

    Founded in Miami in 2001, the two-time Grammy-nominated band is one of the most popular timba ensembles today.

    For those not familiar with Caribbean rhythms, Tiempo Libre's music might sound like traditional salsa, but the aggressive
    combo of the piano, the bass and the claves, reveal it's timba.

    Timba is a relative of salsa, although timba's roots go back to the Cuban son, adding several elements from African-
    American jazz.

    “It doesn't bother me that they consider us salseros, but I do like to explain to people the differences between the two
    genres,” Gómez said via telephone from Miami, where band members live.

    Gómez arrived in the United States in 2000, after graduating from the Escuela Nacional de Arte, one of Cuba's most
    prestigious conservatories.

    As proof that timba is a dynamic rhythm that borrows from other styles, Tiempo Libre will release its third album (the first one
    under the Sony label), “Bach in Havana,” a fusion of the German composer's classical music with Afro-Cuban sounds.

    But being an ambassador of Cuban music comes with a cost: In terms of sales, timba continues to be an underdog in
    Caribbean music.

    “It's been very difficult,” said Gómez, laughing. “If it was about making money, we would be playing reggaetón.”

    The 37-year-old musician offers a crash-course on how to enjoy a Tiempo Libre timba concert: “The public gets carried away
    by the music. They scream, dance and get turned on. That's the essence of timba.”

    – PABLO JAIME SAINZ

    DETAILS

    Tiempo Libre

    When: Saturday, 8 p.m.

    Where: Balboa Theatre, 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego

    Tickets: $35-$55

    Phone: (619) 570-1100

    Online: sdbalboa.org

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