soneros

Soneros are the lead vocalists in Cuban son music and related Latin styles, particularly in son montuno ensembles. The term is also used for singers in salsa bands who carry on the son tradition. A typical sonero performs with a conjunto or orchestra that may include tres or guitar, bass, percussion (congas, bongos, timbales) and brass, and works closely with a coro (the chorus).

A defining feature of the sonero is improvisation. During performances the singer voices improvised verses, known as versos or soneos, often in response to instrumental cues and audience reaction. This improvisational practice is central to the genre, showcasing vocal agility, sense of timing with the clave, and the ability to weave humor, storytelling, and social commentary into the performance. The sonero engages in call-and-response with the coro, negotiates changes in tempo and mood, and helps drive the danceable groove of the music.

Historically, the role emerged in early 20th-century Cuba, with the rise of son montuno and the expansion of the vocal line beyond simple verse-chorus structures. The sonero’s leadership is closely tied to the social and festive character of the music, merging everyday speech, humor, and regional slang with a polished musical delivery.

Notable figures in the Cuban tradition include Beny Moré, widely celebrated as one of the genre’s greatest interpreters and often called “El Sonero Mayor.” In modern times, the term continues to be used in salsa and other Latin genres to denote lead vocalists who carry forward the soneo tradition and its improvisational spirit.