Havana Club Rumba Sessions: La Clave (2015) Documentaries – Resources
A six-episode video series produced by Havana Club featuring master rumberos explaining and performing clave — the rhythmic foundation of all Cuban music. Essential viewing for any dancer working on musicality.
Episodes
What It Covers
Each episode focuses on a different aspect of clave: its African origins, how it functions within rumba, the difference between son clave and rumba clave, and how musicians and dancers navigate clave direction. The masters demonstrate with their bodies and instruments, not just with words.
The film follows DJ Gilles Peterson, together with filmmaker Charlie Inman, on a journey into Cuban rumba, with batá drummer Adé Egun Crispin Robinson and singer Daymé Arocena at his side. It starts with son and then turns to rumba: its origins, its role in daily life, the three dance styles guaguancó, yambú and columbia, and its spiritual roots in Santería, Abakuá and Palo. Taking part are Rodolfo Chacón, head of Rumberos de Cuba, the dancers Jennyselt Galanta Calvo and Domingo Pau, and Rubén Bulnes of Osain del Monte.
Why Dancers Should Watch It
Understanding clave intellectually is one thing; seeing and hearing master rumberos embody it is another. This series gives you both simultaneously. Pay particular attention to how the performers' bodies respond to the clave — the grounding, the subtle weight shifts, the way the whole body becomes a percussion instrument. This is what clave feels like, not just what it sounds like.
Playlist
Full series: YouTube Playlist