That I am blown away by Havana with its rich culture and hold the highest admiration for Cubans we’ve met, is testament to the amazing itinerary and program, Morningside Music Tours and its partner, Havana Music School organized. I am a professional jazz musician (pianist/vocalist) that joined the Cuban music workshop so I could woodshed my montunos. The week-long trip was intense. Mornings comprised of ensemble and individual lessons (including a beach percussion class); the afternoons a variety of cultural activities—from a cigar experience, salsa class, horseback riding in a farm to city tours on foot and via classic car; the evenings almost always included phenomenal live music. For the final evening, the ensemble class performed a “concert” or more correctly, was a feature in a music jam. First of, a review is incomplete without a big kudos to the founders of both Morningside Music Tours in the US (Dan) and Havana Music School in Cuba (Miguel). Dan not only chose a great partner institution in Cuba, but also sent advance music material to work on in preparation for the music lessons. He also made every effort to accommodate requests of the group and organized a virtual meeting to prep participants on what to expect. Once in Cuba, Miguel, took over and was over and beyond helpful in negotiating our way around WIFi issues, money exchange and other details. What was great was that Miguel and his staff have a strong familial bond which is rare and beautiful to see in a business; and even more unusual is how they welcomed us into their family. The love is and was palpable. Any business that treats its members with respect and love will always get my vote, but here are other reasons I thought the trip exceptional and why you should book through MorningSide Music Tours: -Selection of restaurants and venues were excellent! I am also a culinary educator and was impressed by food quality in many of the restaurants we went to and wowed by the artsy and edgy ambience in most, which are among the best I’ve seen anywhere. -Havana is one giant cultural immersion. The level of musicianship is phenomenal since musicians are classically trained from when they are 7 years old. Be prepared for a visual and aural blast. We met (and jammed with) some really amazing cats! Great selection of live music in both intimate and concert-like settings. -good variety of cultural activities -pleasant accommodations and staff in casa particulares -there is no sugar coating the problems most Cubans face every day; the severe lack of basic supplies, the lack of income. Being able to engage more personally with Cubans helped me understand more the effects of geopolitics on the people, what it means in the every day sense, and also how we can help Cubans. People coming to Cuba, spending on activities and supporting local trade are good ways to get money directly into the hands of people especially through trusted outfitters like Monrningside Music Tours and Havana Music School. -Music school teachers, staff and guides are exceptional. Mila, Yaimara, Pompa, Ale, Olivia, Mauris. I am particularly happy with my individual lessons with Maestro Juan Pompa who helped me refine montuno playing. I am in deep admiration of the Cuban people, its artistry, resilience and openness, and am grateful to Dan, Miguel and those at Havana Music School for showing me the real Cuba. Muchas gracias! Ya los extraño.
By Maria Elenita D for Ultimate Havana Experience for Dancers, Musicians and Music Lovers on 13 Jun, 2022
All in all this was a great trip and an outstanding opportunity to learn Afro-Cuban songs and rhythms. I really enjoyed traveling with and playing music with the people on the trip, and our Cuban instructors and tour guides were incredible. In the evening we saw some wonderful music at jazz clubs, restaurants, and at the Havana Jazz Festival. It seemed like everywhere we went, in restaurants and on the street, there was music playing, and it was a blast being able to get up and play along with them, The afternoon activities were great also, including the trip to Vinales, the tour of Old Havana, and car ride in the antique cars. And I can't say enough good things about the food. On this trip we stayed with Cuban families. I enjoyed talking with our hosts and learning about their lives. I would also say that I really enjoyed the city of Havana.
By Eric S for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 29 Jan, 2020
This was the emotional high point of any trip I’ve ever taken ~ built around music, with such warm, expressive, bright Cuban musicians leading our every move, and touring us around fabulous Cuba, dining on exquisite cuisine in lush, beautiful settings. I could never have imagined how fabulous Cuba could be, its beautiful, colorful architecture, magnificent flora everywhere, and so hope to return soon, especially with Dan, who has perfected this trip after five years of honing its details, and so well knowing how to handle the people aspects of a group traveling together. Our Casa particulares was lovely, my suite mates on the trip ideal and caring, and the women who cooked our breakfast and brought us every convenience ~ so thoughtful and responsive. Here’s to next year!
By Elsa S for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 27 Jan, 2020
This was the musical trip of a lifetime! Always wanted to travel to Cuba to soak in the music and the culture first-hand --and this was the way to do it. The planning, accommodations, meals, lessons and special events were handled extremely well. The highlight for me was getting the chance to hang out with Cuban people, whether making music together or simply riding in one of those cool taxi cabs. I'd make this trip again in a heartbeat!
By Rebecca C for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 27 Jan, 2020
Highly recommend! We had an awesome time. Just the music lessons alone would have made the trip worth it -- getting to learn from and play with Cuban percussionists was out of this world! Throw in great company, beautiful weather, amazing food, live music everywhere and jazz shows every night ... could you ask for anything more? If you are thinking about going on this trip, you should stop thinking, and just go! I guarantee your future self will thank you.
By Alice L for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 26 Jan, 2020
The Morningside trip to Cuba was a life-changing experience! Words to describe will simply not do it justice- the experience in itself was priceless! Met wonderful people all around- our fellow traveling companions and all our Cuban friends who were our guides, music instructors, and casa particulares hosts. We all felt right at home and well-fed. Wished we did a bit more walking to burn off the food! The trip was well-organized and exciting every day- immersed in crash courses of music lessons and Latin ensembles to captivating live music performances every evening! Should I mention the flan and mojitos were out of this world? Oh, and there were trips to experience the beautiful Cuban architecture and landscape from Havana to the Vinales Valley. Not often do you get to ride in colorful vintage cars daily! To sum it up- returned from Cuba with a burst of energy that will be surrounding me - the people, the music, and the scenery in vivid memory. The organizing team was brilliant and considerate to everyone's needs. Sign me up again, please!
By Padma N for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 25 Jan, 2020
Fantastic trip: played music and took lessons with Havana Music School instructors, played with many fine musicians from the US and Cuba, enjoyed sites, marvelous lunches and dinners, a trip to Vinales to visit the caves and a tobacco farm, the Havana Jazz Festival, heard excellent music in clubs, hotels, restaurants, on the street. Accommodations were wonderful, our location had easy access, travel accommodations were easy, transfers were well organized. Excellent trip, everything I could have asked for.
By John F for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 25 Jan, 2020
This was a superb trip. The accommodations were charming, clean, and comfortable; the meals were delicious, the music was A-list, and the people who organized it were attentive to every detail (from a lost cell phone to a forgotten passport). For those who wanted to participate in everything offered, there may have been a bit too little sleep -- things were so exciting it was hard not to stay up late. However, the choice is yours, and resting a bit more was perfectly acceptable. Everyone was friendly and truly professional. All of us in my group had a terrific time, and we can't wait to go back again. I have no reason to give such a glowing review, except that I'm utterly grateful to have had this extraordinary opportunity. There wasn't a single moment I wasn't completely immersed in wonder.
By Constance L for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 25 Jan, 2020
Fantastic trip. So well organized. Didn't have a single problem with accomodations, restaurants, or jazz clubs. Turned everything I ever thought about Cuba on its head. Some of the most warm, generous, happy people I've ever met.
By Joseph B for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 20 Jan, 2020
By Maria Elenita D for Ultimate Havana Experience for Dancers, Musicians and Music Lovers on 13 Jun, 2022
All in all this was a great trip and an outstanding opportunity to learn Afro-Cuban songs and rhythms. I really enjoyed traveling with and playing music with the people on the trip, and our Cuban instructors and tour guides were incredible. In the evening we saw some wonderful music at jazz clubs, restaurants, and at the Havana Jazz Festival. It seemed like everywhere we went, in restaurants and on the street, there was music playing, and it was a blast being able to get up and play along with them, The afternoon activities were great also, including the trip to Vinales, the tour of Old Havana, and car ride in the antique cars. And I can't say enough good things about the food. On this trip we stayed with Cuban families. I enjoyed talking with our hosts and learning about their lives. I would also say that I really enjoyed the city of Havana.
By Eric S for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 29 Jan, 2020
This was the emotional high point of any trip I’ve ever taken ~ built around music, with such warm, expressive, bright Cuban musicians leading our every move, and touring us around fabulous Cuba, dining on exquisite cuisine in lush, beautiful settings. I could never have imagined how fabulous Cuba could be, its beautiful, colorful architecture, magnificent flora everywhere, and so hope to return soon, especially with Dan, who has perfected this trip after five years of honing its details, and so well knowing how to handle the people aspects of a group traveling together. Our Casa particulares was lovely, my suite mates on the trip ideal and caring, and the women who cooked our breakfast and brought us every convenience ~ so thoughtful and responsive. Here’s to next year!
By Elsa S for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 27 Jan, 2020
This was the musical trip of a lifetime! Always wanted to travel to Cuba to soak in the music and the culture first-hand --and this was the way to do it. The planning, accommodations, meals, lessons and special events were handled extremely well. The highlight for me was getting the chance to hang out with Cuban people, whether making music together or simply riding in one of those cool taxi cabs. I'd make this trip again in a heartbeat!
By Rebecca C for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 27 Jan, 2020
Highly recommend! We had an awesome time. Just the music lessons alone would have made the trip worth it -- getting to learn from and play with Cuban percussionists was out of this world! Throw in great company, beautiful weather, amazing food, live music everywhere and jazz shows every night ... could you ask for anything more? If you are thinking about going on this trip, you should stop thinking, and just go! I guarantee your future self will thank you.
By Alice L for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 26 Jan, 2020
The Morningside trip to Cuba was a life-changing experience! Words to describe will simply not do it justice- the experience in itself was priceless! Met wonderful people all around- our fellow traveling companions and all our Cuban friends who were our guides, music instructors, and casa particulares hosts. We all felt right at home and well-fed. Wished we did a bit more walking to burn off the food! The trip was well-organized and exciting every day- immersed in crash courses of music lessons and Latin ensembles to captivating live music performances every evening! Should I mention the flan and mojitos were out of this world? Oh, and there were trips to experience the beautiful Cuban architecture and landscape from Havana to the Vinales Valley. Not often do you get to ride in colorful vintage cars daily! To sum it up- returned from Cuba with a burst of energy that will be surrounding me - the people, the music, and the scenery in vivid memory. The organizing team was brilliant and considerate to everyone's needs. Sign me up again, please!
By Padma N for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 25 Jan, 2020
Fantastic trip: played music and took lessons with Havana Music School instructors, played with many fine musicians from the US and Cuba, enjoyed sites, marvelous lunches and dinners, a trip to Vinales to visit the caves and a tobacco farm, the Havana Jazz Festival, heard excellent music in clubs, hotels, restaurants, on the street. Accommodations were wonderful, our location had easy access, travel accommodations were easy, transfers were well organized. Excellent trip, everything I could have asked for.
By John F for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 25 Jan, 2020
This was a superb trip. The accommodations were charming, clean, and comfortable; the meals were delicious, the music was A-list, and the people who organized it were attentive to every detail (from a lost cell phone to a forgotten passport). For those who wanted to participate in everything offered, there may have been a bit too little sleep -- things were so exciting it was hard not to stay up late. However, the choice is yours, and resting a bit more was perfectly acceptable. Everyone was friendly and truly professional. All of us in my group had a terrific time, and we can't wait to go back again. I have no reason to give such a glowing review, except that I'm utterly grateful to have had this extraordinary opportunity. There wasn't a single moment I wasn't completely immersed in wonder.
By Constance L for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 25 Jan, 2020
Fantastic trip. So well organized. Didn't have a single problem with accomodations, restaurants, or jazz clubs. Turned everything I ever thought about Cuba on its head. Some of the most warm, generous, happy people I've ever met.
By Joseph B for Havana Jazz Festival for Musicians and Music Lovers on 20 Jan, 2020
