Cien Años de Tradicion

is a large, authentic Cuban barrel organ, which Cuban ‘players’ Eugenio and Coco took on a street tour through the Benelux. The musicians returned, but left the organ behind for the collection of Leon van Leeuwen, a member of the famous Perlee family of barrel organ makers. The instrument doesn’t play "Tulips from Amsterdam", but swinging mambos and rumbas – from the original Cuban punch cards. Cuba is the only non western country with a rich tradition of barrel organs. The instruments were exported by French colonists from Haiti to Cuba. After some time, the Cubans began producing their own instruments. Several dance halls own barrel organs. The barrel organ operator indicates tone and speed, amongst a group of percussionists who accompany the instrument. Players are: Jaap de Kwaasteniet - campana, bongos; Jos Oey - congas, Pieter Boode - timbalitos; Leon van Leeuwen - operator.