La Polemíca - Rhythm, Song & Dance Live

Rumba is a secular Afro-Cuban musical tradition that emerged in Cuba from a rich blend of African-derived and Spanish musical influences. Rooted in community and celebration, it brings together percussion, song and dance and has traditionally flourished in homes, courtyards and neighbourhood gatherings.

Drawing on these traditions, La Polémica brings a distinctly British voice to Cuban folkloric music, bringing together some of the UK’s leading percussionists and specialists in Afro-Cuban music.

At the heart of the music are the interlocking rhythms of congas, cajon and other percussion, alongside call-and-response singing and the dynamic relationship between rhythm, song and dance. La Polémica draws on different Afro-Cuban musical traditions and rumba styles while bringing together the individual voices, experiences and influences of its UK-based musicians.

Energetic, rhythmic and deeply communal, La Polémica celebrates rumba as a living tradition: music that brings people together, invites participation and continues to evolve wherever it is played.

Bombo Productions

4.8

Based on 37 reviews

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Manicon Pillai

4 months ago

Great Cuban percussion drumming , Taught by Vicky and David. Learned drumming techniques on the Conga, as well as other instruments. A great atmosphere , with lessons on hand techniques, timing, rythm, counting beats and clapping . We got to also play other persussion intstruments. Thank you Bombo Productions.

sitali mushemi

7 months ago

Had an amazing time in Cuba, many thanks to Bomboproductions. Barely speak Spanish and thought I couldn’t sing. Took a few hours for the gifted team, Vicky and Dave to break my mental barriers. Am a new person so thankful 😌

Nathan Wright

Magnificent! Vicki and David are an absolutely undeniable inspiration to all of the people they connect with through their service. Curating truly unforgettable experiences in pursuit of knowledge and connection through music. Already looking forward to my next experience with them.

Bristol Afro-Cuban Collective

Going to Cuba with Vicky, Dave and the whole group, has been a once in a life time opportunity, the memories of which will stay forever. Vicky and Dave have a wealth of experience in Cuba, knowing how to live and get around in Havana. The accommodation met all needs and the music course they organised was a lot of fun. We got to know a lot of very lovely and talented musicians, learned a wide range of musical material and had a great time getting to know everyone in the group. That's before getting to the insane amount of incredible live music on!

Perhaps the most special of all the experiences was having the opportunity to meet and play with some amazing people from the Lucumi community, due to the long term relationship Vicky and Dave have with them. We were all warmly welcomed and treated so well. It was sad to see the struggles people are facing due to the political scene right now. Black outs and the water being cut off seemed to be a regular occurrence. But life doesn't stop in Habana, people find away around these problems and the challenges didn't stop us from doing what we wanted to do either.

I would highly recommend this trip!

Gaspar Sena

Some of the most wonderfully kind and generous people I’ve ever met. Truly experts in their field of Afro-Cuban music but also experts in their ability to bring people together, create a nurturing learning environment, cater to the needs of the individual as well as the group, and leave everyone involved wanting much much more. Their classes are well organised, the trips abroad, and residential percussion and singing camps are brilliant. The best place to learn about Afro-Cuban folkloric music for beginners to advanced players anywhere.

David Rahman

1 year ago

Wonderful, inspiring teachers! Dave and Vicky are experts in cuban music and are so generous with their time and knowledge. They really care about building a community of passionate musicians. With them you don't just learn rhythmic patterns; you will learn a repertoire of music that you can get together with others and actually PERFORM!

Karen Steadman

2 years ago

I attended Coro de Clave which is a magical bringing together of people from around Europe to sing the most beautiful Afro Cuban songs. Vicky and Dave impart their vast knowledge to the group in an accessible way, meaning that newcomers are able to join alongside more experienced singers. Makes me feel full of love every time and walking into a room of old friends from Spain, London, Oxford, Scotland etc feels like the best reunion ever.

Loz Speyer

3 years ago

These classes are great. Dave and Vicky cultivate a real communal experience which is what this music is all about. They bring many years' knowledge of Afrocuban rhythms and songs, and have a way of teaching at multiple levels at once so that everyone gets challenged and everyone is able to contribute to the whole. recommended!

Federica Fusco

4 years ago

I have been attending many percussion courses with Bombo productions over the past few years. Yesterday, we completed the Batà Course. We learnt how to play multiple toques on different drums, learning rhythmic sequences, conversations and variations, hand techniques, developing coordination, autonomy and important patterns for future improvisation. We learn how the rhythms fit with the singing and the clave. All sessions are filmed and shared privately so that you can practice at home and be ready for the next class.

Dave is an amazing teacher with huge passion, knowledge and patience. Vicky is a great musician, singer and a very inspiring thinker. They both make this learning experience special and I am so grateful for this.

This course was also for me a chance to know more people who share a similar attitude towards art, music and life. I met very special people there.

Vicky and Dave also organise music nights in London where anyone can play and apply what you have learnt in a wider context and with other amazing musicians!

So it's clear that I highly recommend bombo production to all amateurs and professional musicians :D

Geoff Baker

Vicky and Dave are true experts in Cuban music, but their courses are accessible and everyone is made to feel welcome, whatever their background, so the group is very diverse. They are great teachers – highly knowledgeable and keen to make good music, yet always with a smile and a laugh. The music is gorgeous (they make their own arrangements, so you can only get it here!) and the atmospheric rehearsal space adds to the charm. Highly recommended!

Adam robinson

It's rare to find anyone as knowledgeable as Dave and Vicky. It's even more rare to find people who are as generous and welcoming. Anyone who has an interest in Afro Cuban music will be able get involved, learn and be pushed just enough - regardless of playing ability. I couldn't recommend their courses/workshops highly enough.

ohad lustigman

Highly recommended for anyone interested in Afro Cuban folkloric music, Bata or Salsa.

Dave and Vicky have figured out the perfect formula to share their very deep knowledge in a really fun and relaxed but also intensive and challenging way.

In both their online courses and face to face workshops, they are making sure to gently push you a bit further from where you are at -whether a total beginner or an advanced player.

Only thing to be aware of is that this might be addictive.

Mariya

Over the past couple of years I have taken a number of courses with Bombo Productions and also attended their folkloric Afro-Cuban percussion retreat in Spain last year and I have to say that learning percussion with Vicky and Dave has been one of the most rewarding experiences for me. Dave and Vicky are wonderful teachers and people, who love sharing their knowledge and passion for music. I feel so much joy and gratitude after every class I take with them!

Most recently, I attended the Level 2 in-person Salsa course offered by Dave. What I love about Dave’s salsa classes is that we get to learn a bit of each instrument in the percussion section. While I only have congas at home and the congas are (perhaps) the instrument I am most interested in, I always wanted to understand how the congas interact with the other percussion instruments. And I love it that I can now play a bit on the other instruments. And I absolutely love it that when I listen to salsa music, i can now distinctly hear the timbales, the bongos and the congas… it feels great. Thank you, Dave!
The other thing I really enjoy about the salsa classes is that we don’t just learn patterns on the instruments, but we apply these to a specific song/arrangement prepared by Dave; as such we also learn to listen to (and play) the breaks, changes in clave, etc.

I can’t speak highly enough of Dave and Vicky’s classes – whether these are salsa, batá, rumba or coro. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

simon todd

10/10 Salsa level 2 course!
Seriously If you want to learn and understand Salsa music, arrangements, technique and the secrets of this Afro-Cuban music style, Dave Pattman is the man. Over the years I've done workshops with Dave and always been a great and rewarding experience.
Very warm, friendly and energetic teacher, with extensive knowledge of this music.
Can't recommend the course enough, Sometimes the courses run in a nice little studio in central Hackney or online over a 6 week period. New to online lessons it didn't take long to get into it, you get an upload of the lesson which is great, and the arrangement, with minus one options of instruments.
Also Dave encourages you to send in videos of your playing with the tracks , so you really get a lot for your money.
Prices are very reasonable for such high level tuition.
This side of Havana Bombo productions is the place to go if you want to learn the real essence of Afro Cuban drumming, music and culture.

Dave Longman

I attended a level 2 salsa percussion course.
The course content was perfect for me as I have covered the basics so many times. In these sessions, we used the patterns to build up 2 different salsa arrangements which was just what I needed - a real-life context in which to play the instruments. This was all supported with shared resources including minus-one tracks to play along at home.

There were new patterns/techniques to learn for all the instruments - congas, bongo, timbales and guiro

The tutor had a wonderful, relaxed manner and was encouraging and supportive, while also finding ways to push our different ability levels.

I would definitely attend another course sometime.

La Polemíca – Rhythm, Song & Dance Live

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