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The most recognisable rhythm in dance: two, three, cha-cha-chà. Donald takes the final steps in his week long whirl around the world of ballroom dancing.

Donald Macleod takes a whirl around the world through the music of ballroom dancing, in celebration of BBC Radio 3’s Day of Dance on Friday 8th November. With the help of Hilary French, author of Ballroom: A People’s History of Dancing, Donald waltzes across Viennese ballrooms, foxtrots through New York clubs, tries the tango in the arrabales of Buenos Aires, sambas on the streets of Salvador and finally cha-cha-cha’s his way to Havana.

In today's final instalment, Donald takes to the clubs of Cuba to learn how the danzón-mambo evolved into the most recognisable rhythm in ballroom dance: two, three, cha-cha-chà.

Mambo No 5
Perez Prado, composer & performer

La Cucaracha
Perez Prado, composer & performer

Mambo No 8
Perez Prado, composer & performer

La Enganadora
Enrique Jorrin, composer
Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta

Silver Star
Enrique Jorrin, composer
Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta

Rico Vacilon
Enrique Jorrin, composer
Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta

La Blusa Azul
Enrique Jorrin, composer
Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta

The Peanut Vendor
Perez Prado, composer & performer

Besame Mucho
Consuelo Velázquez, composer
Los Panchos

Pata Pata
Miriam Makeba, composer & performer

Sway
Luis Demetrio & Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, composers
Perez Prado, performer
Rosmary Clooney, vocals

Oye Como Va
Tito Puente, composer & performer

Sabor a Mi
Eydie Gorme, composer
Trio Los Panchos

Doble Quince
Mobey Lola Irizarry, composer & performer

La Palma
Lulada Club

Lulada Llego
Lulada Club

Produced by Alice McKee for BBC Audio Wales & West

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59 minutes

Last on

Fri 8 Nov 202416:00

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Music Played

  • Pérez Prado

    Mambo No 5

    Orchestra: Pérez Prado and His Orchestra.
    • Supreme Media.
  • Pérez Prado

    La Cucaracha

    Orchestra: Pérez Prado and His Orchestra.
    • Music Today Records.
  • Pérez Prado

    Mambo No 8

    Orchestra: Pérez Prado and His Orchestra.
    • Legends of Cuban Music.
  • Enrique Jorrín

    La Enganadora

    Orchestra: Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta.
    • Vintage Music.
  • Enrique Jorrín

    Rico Vacilon

    Orchestra: Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta.
    • iLatina Music.
  • Enrique Jorrín

    La Blusa Azul

    Orchestra: Enrique Jorrin Y Su Orquesta.
    • Fonarte Latino.
  • Moisés Simón Rodríguez

    El Manisero

    Music Arranger: Pérez Prado. Orchestra: Pérez Prado and His Orchestra.
    • Black Sheep Music.
  • Consuelo Velázquez

    Besame Mucho

    Performer: Los Panchos.
    • Columbia.
  • Miriam Makeba

    Pata Pata

    Composer: Jerry Ragovoy. Performer: Miriam Makeba.
    • UNIVERSAL.
  • Luis Demetrio

    Sway

    Composer: Pablo Beltrán Ruiz. Singer: Rosemary Clooney. Orchestra: Pérez Prado and His Orchestra.
    • RCA.
  • Tito Puente

    Oye Como Va

    Ensemble: Tito Puente Latin Ensemble.
    • Concord Picante.
  • Álvaro Carrillo

    Sabor a Mi

    Singer: Eydie Gormé. Ensemble: Los Panchos.
    • Columbia.
  • Mobey Lola Irizarry

    Doble Quince

    Performer: Mobey Lola Irizarry.
    • Mobey Lola Irizarry.
  • Lulada Club

    La Palma

    Ensemble: Lulada Club.
    • NU-TONE.
  • Lulada Club

    Lulada Llego

    Ensemble: Lulada Club.
    • NU-TONE.

Broadcast

  • Fri 8 Nov 202416:00

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