Sergio González
Pianist of NG La Banda — Sergio González was the keyboard voice of José Luis Cortés' pioneering timba group during its most important period of development.
About
González worked as the pianist for NG La Banda during the band's formative years in the early 1990s, contributing to the development of the timba piano style — the specific approach to montuno patterns, harmonic density, and rhythmic interaction with the bass and percussion section that characterizes timba piano playing.
His work with NG La Banda helped define what the piano does in the timba context: a highly rhythmic, percussive role that maintains the clave relationship while adding harmonic complexity beyond the traditional son montuno pattern.
Timba is the music this site is dedicated to exploring. It emerged as a distinct genre in the late 1980s and crystallized in the early 1990s — born in a moment of social crisis, built on the full accumulated history of Cuban music, and still evolving today.
Lees meer >Cuban music is built on percussion. The extraordinary density and variety of Cuban rhythmic culture reflects the meeting of West and Central African drumming traditions with Spanish, Haitian, and creole musical practices over four centuries. The instruments below form the core percussive vocabulary heard across Son, Rumba, Timba, Danzón, and their descendants.
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The claves are two round sticks of hardwood. Struck together, they give a high, sharp click that cuts through the whole band. On the claves you play the clave rhythm, the pattern that Cuban music is built on.
Lees meer >The piano is the harmonic and rhythmic heart of Cuban popular music. In timba, it is one of the most demanding and expressive instruments in the ensemble.
Lees meer >The piano is the harmonic and rhythmic heart of Cuban popular music. In timba, it is one of the most demanding and expressive instruments in the ensemble.
Lees meer >The keyboard (and the synthesizer) came into Cuban dance music through Los Van Van. Next to or instead of the acoustic piano it gives the band new sound colours: strings, horns, organ and electronic sounds.
Lees meer >Timba, the explosive and rhythmically rich genre of Cuban dance music, transformed how the bass functions in popular music. In Timba, the bass is not just foundational — it’s fiery, funky, and free.
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