Teodora Ginés

Teodora Ginés (1530-1598), was a Dominican musician and composer. Born in Santiago de los Caballeros, northern sector of Dominican Republic. She is credited as the creator of the genre "El Son/Son Muntuno" and the song titled "Son de la Má Teodora".

Life

Teodora Ginés, Quisqueyana born in Santiago de los Caballeros, second biggest city in the Dominican Republic, due to the intranquility the island was living, many Dominicans migrated to neighboring countries, Teodora along with her sister, Micaela, left by boat from Puerto Plata, eventually making it to Cuba, where afro-Hispanic Caribbean music was becoming noticed in Hispanic America, getting popularity amongst Americans visiting the island, where they were both sought out to engage and participate in the orchestra at the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba: Micaela as a violinist, and Teodora playing the Bandola.

Teodora is credited with the authorship of the song " Son de la Má Teodora", circa 1562. This song was transcribed by the Cuban Laureano Fuentes Matons, in his book "The Arts in Santiago de Cuba" published in 1893. Matons argued that the "Son de la Má Teodora" was the first in Cuban history.

References

• Ned Sublette, Cuba and Its Music: From the First Drums to the Mambo, 2004