The Clave Chronicles

Rebecca Bodenheimer
  • 5.0 (32)
  • MUSIC HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A journey through the history and global influence of Cuban music, hosted by ethnomusicologist Rebecca Bodenheimer.

  1. 10/21/2025

    Feliz 100 años, Celia!

    The most beloved Cuban musician of all time was born on this day 100 years ago: Celia Cruz. We're honoring her with a brand new episode featuring Delia Poey, a professor at Florida State University who has written extensively about Celia's Career.  Songs played: Quimbara Field recording of Afrocuba de Matanzas' version of Quimbara Chango Ta' Vení Que Le Den Candela Usted Abusó Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    53 min

  2. 08/19/2025

    "El rumbero del piano": Paying tribute to Eddie Palmieri

    Columbia University professor and trombonist Chris Washburne joins Rebecca to pay tribute to "el rumbero del piano," Eddie Palmieri, one of Latin music's most significant pioneers. His music straddled salsa, Latin jazz, and other genres, and he was known for his innovative experimentation in form and harmony. Songs played: Azúcar El día que me quieras Broken home & If (We had peace today), from the Harlem River Drive project Puerto Rico Rebecca's recent piece on Eddie Palmieri: https://www.grammy.com/news/how-eddie-palmieri-changed-latin-music-obituary Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    55 min

  3. 04/23/2025

    The latest in Cuban music with Rafa Escalona

    Cuban journalist Rafa Escalona joins Rebecca to talk about the latest trends in Cuban music, including how hard it is to track this information on the island and how recent out-migration has affected the evolution and definition of "música cubana." While contemporary Cuban music is of course dominated by reparto, the songs shared by Rafa provide a broader look into the latest trends. Songs played: Un Momentico + — Melanie Santiler & Dale Pututi Andala Remix — Wildey, Musteerifa & Raydel El Q Manda Suite Para Isaac Oviedo — Jorge Iván Martín feat. Juan Carlos Aguilera Amanacer Sin Ti — Albita & Lenier Tertuliando — Angel Toirac feat.  LINKS Newness Cuba playlist (50 best songs in Cuban music from the past year): https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1gPyKTGHHQy16z7YO2lhHV Cuba Tracklist (Instagram account with weekly lists of most popular Cuban tracks): https://www.instagram.com/cubatracklist/ Rafa's Substack: https://divagacionesmusicales.substack.com/ A recent piece Rafa wrote (in Spanish) about reparto and YouTube: https://revistaelestornudo.com/reparto-youtube-dicen-charts-musica-cubana/ Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    1h 20m

  4. 03/20/2025

    A tribute to Paulito FG

    Kevin Moore is back to help us pay tribute to one of timba's brightest stars, Paulito FG (EPD), who died tragically on March 1. Songs played: El humo o la vida, Dan Den feat. Paulito FG Y ahora que, Percussion and vocal track for Entre Dos Amigos No te lo creas,  Laura (demo track)  El punto Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    1 hr

  5. 02/21/2025

    Breaking down Bad Bunny's Debí Tirar Más Fotos

    Finally, we're back with a brand new episode, inspired by Bad Bunny's love letter to Puerto Rico, Debí Tirar Más Fotos! We get deep into the weeds of the Puerto Rican musical and political traditions that are referenced in Bad Bunny's wide-ranging, exquisitely produced album. Joining Rebecca are Puerto Rican musician and educator Hector Lugo (founder of the Bay Area Latin roots band La Mixta Criolla), and Puerto Rican writer, translator and Bad Bunny scholar Carina del Valle Schorske. Songs played: A Guayama, Desde Cero  Si Yo Fuera Alcalde, Chuíto el de Bayamón Aires de Navidad, Hector Lavoe & Willie Colón La Huelga, La Mixta Criolla Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    1h 29m

  6. 11/11/2024

    Send me your questions for a mailbag episode!

    Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    5 min

  7. 11/01/2024

    A conversation with Cuban journalist Jesús Jank Curbelo

    Cuban journalist Jesús Jank Curbelo joins Rebecca to speak about a range of topics, including the legacy of El Taiger, one of Cuba's most popular artists who was killed recently in Miami. We also talk about Curbelo's career in Cuba reporting on the reparto movement, as well as the pain of leaving Cuba and challenges of building a new life in Texas. Curbelo has published several pieces at the Texas Observer and Palabra. Conversation in Spanish. Follow along with an English-language transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1El7dqfI2n-eTFs--dNryJI8OBsqXRhePszFu6I1PCzg/edit?usp=sharing Songs played: Coronamos (Remix), Taiger & J. Balvin (feat. Cosculluela, Bad Bunny & Bryant Myers)  Hilito Rojo, El Taiger & DJ Conds Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    1h 7m

  8. 10/18/2024

    Rosa Marquetti part 2: Celia in Cuba

    Part 2 of Rebecca's conversation with Cuban music historian Rosa Marquetti. The second edition of her book Celia en Cuba (1925-1962) was recently published in Spanish, and will be translated into English next year. Conversation in Spanish. Follow along with an English-language transcript here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1W8qgbzs7DHwP2JlTl3FDZfbCc2aLSFovv2SVxZSw3Xc/edit?usp=sharing Songs played: Quédate Negra, Celia con La Orquesta Leonard Melody La Sopa en Botella, Celia con La Sonora Matancera Sueños de Luna, Celia con La Sonora Matancera Send us a text Support the show You can support this independently produced podcast by becoming a monthly subscriber - even $3/month helps! If you like this podcast, please hit "Follow" and give us a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts Find The Clave Chronicles on Instagram, Facebook, & Threads @clavechronicles https://theclavechronicles.buzzsprout.com Intro and outro music: "Bengo Latino," Jimmy Fontanez/Media Right Productions

    44 min
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5
out of 5
32 Ratings

About

A journey through the history and global influence of Cuban music, hosted by ethnomusicologist Rebecca Bodenheimer.

Information

  • Creator
    Rebecca Bodenheimer
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Clave Chronicles
  • Show Website
    The Clave Chronicles