Wybe van der Wal's recent posting got me thinking about the
little-known Cuban organ tradition.  He mentioned the CD "Cien Anos de
Tradicion" (100 Years of Tradition) released in 1995 by Holland's Royal
Tropical Institute (PAN Records #4003 KCD).  I purchased a copy over
the Web from "teleCD", a Dutch mail-order firm.

The K.D.V.'s "Het Pierement" magazine had an article about this a
few years ago but, since it was in Dutch, I didn't fully understand
it.  The CD notes (by Huib Haringhuizen) are in English, however,
and here are some excerpts:

 "The first report of mechanical organs in Cuba dates from 1876.
  Two families, Fornaris and Borbolla, both living in the eastern
  Cuban port of Manzanillo, obtained a mechanical organ built by
  Limonaire of Paris.  Though a Spanish colony for almost 300 years,
  Cuba also had a strong French influence [many French colonists moved
  to eastern Cuba after the Haitian revolution in 1804].  In Santiago
  de Cuba, capital of Oriente Province, an important theatre and
  concert tradition arose.  Famous musicians and (opera) singers from
  Europe were invited.  Orchestras with high musical standards were
  formed and balls and dances were organized daily."

(This lead to a tradition of street music not unlike that in Europe.
Soon, book-operated organs were imported and played.  Later, they were
made in Cuba.  Around 1900, over 200 of these organs entertained.  Even
more surprising, more than 60 of these survive!)

 "Unlike most European street organs, Cuban organs are simple wooden
  boxes, without the typical colorful ornaments on the front.  The
  sound...  resembles the French organs as built...by Gasparini and
  Limonaire."

(Another difference is the lack of automatic percussion.  The organs
are accompanied by live musicians on drums, timbales, claves, bongos,
etc. (even trumpet).  This makes for a very lively Latin beat.  The
organ operator exerts more influence than usual, also.  Apparently,
the books are not "syncopated": all notes are about the same length.
However, since the organ bellows and keyframe drives are separate,
the organ grinder has complete control of tempo.  The organ sound is
very much a "fairground" voicing with reeds and trumpets predominating.
The CD's title is actually the name of the organ recorded.  All these
organs have names as they do in Holland.)

It seems that these organs are still manufactured (and music punched)
in eastern Cuba.  Alas, importation to the U.S. is impossible.  Has
anyone ever visited this area and seen these interesting instrumental
ensembles?

Philip Jamison
West Chester, Pennsylvania