Fusion is an important trend in contemporary music, whether classical, Latin, rock or jazz. Contemporary musicians such as Wynton Marsalis, Cyrus Chestnut, Paquito D'Rivera and Chucho Valdés are equally comfortable in classical, jazz, and Latin jazz. Many contemporary composers like Awilda Villarini, Aldemaro Romero, Eddie Venegas, Gustavo Moretto and William Bolcom revive traditional African-derived forms and incorporate them into their compositions, which are nevertheless inscribed in the idiom of contemporary classical music.

Video excerpts from the Carpentier Quartet's performance:

a. Listen to Awilda Villarini's "Bomba" for string quartet. What traditional elements does the piece incorporate? What are the "classical" elements of the piece?

b. Listen to William Bolcom's "Ragtimes for String Quartet." Point out the traditional and the contemporary elements of this composition.

c. Listen to Eddie Venegas' composition "Para ti" and point out the traditional Cuban rythms on which it is based.