Son cubano is a genre of music and dance that originated in eastern Cuba during the late 19th century. The first recordings were made in 1917, marking the start of its expansion throughout the island. Initially played by groups of three, four, or five musicians, by the 1920s the sexteto (sextet) became the genre's primary format. By the 1930s, some bands had incorporated a trumpet or cornet with with the stringed instruments. This collection of music recorded in the 1930s presents four sextetos playing a variety of sones. The liner notes provide information about the four bands and the music.