Afro-Cuban music evolved into one of the great musical traditions of the 20th century. This volume provides a comprehensive history of mainstream Cuban music, examining the music of all its eras from the perspective of two seminal trumpet players: Felix Chappottin and Alfredo Chocolate Armenteros. One or the other was present at almost every significant turning point in the stylistic development of Cuban music. An overview of the entire Afro-Cuban genre and its development is provided, as well as an in-depth examination of both Chappottin's and Armenteros' performance styles.