WLRN Public Media | By Wilkine Brutus

Grammy-nominated Cuban musician Cimafunk is bringing his Afro-Cuban rhythms and Black American funk energy to West Palm Beach this Friday.

Dubbed the James Brown of Cuba, Cimafunk — who has jammed with icons from George Clinton and Jon Batiste to CeeLo Green and Alejandro Sanz — told WLRN making music has proved therapeutic and provides an avenue for self-discovery.

His nine-piece band blends Afro-Cuban soul with funk — the clave and percussion instruments bridge deep-rooted musical connections between Cuba and New Orleans jazz.

Cima underlines the similarity of beat patterns in the sound coming from both places. “When you see that in New Orleans, basically you can find that the rhythm is mostly the same, the essence,” he said. “So it’s really connected, always.”

His latest album, Pa’ Tu Cuerpa, which translates to For Your Body, conjures up that same spirit, connecting body and soul. Each of his animated dance movements on stage is a homage to his Cuban and African ancestry.

This story was originally produced by WLRN, South Florida’s only public radio station at 91.3 FM, as part of a content sharing partnership with MIA Media Group. Read more at WLRN.org