Ballet Folklórico Hermanos Ayala, created in 1959, is recognized as one of Puerto Rico's leading folk dance and music companies. This 17-member troupe of percussionists, dancers and singers is perhaps the oldest practitioner of the Afro-Puerto Rican tradition known as bomba.
When performing at home, on the front porch of the Ayala family household, upon hearing the sound of the bomba drums throughout the town of Loaza, a crowd of dancers, drummers and singers of all ages would gather around and take part in the music.
For over 40 years Los Hermanos Ayala have performed throughout the world bringing with them the tradition of Loaza-style bomba deeply rooted in Africa. They have performed in England, France, Mexico, Peru and the Dominican Republic. They have also been the subject of numerous documentaries about bomba music and Afro-Puerto Rican culture. Los Hermanos Ayala are considered one of Puerto Rico's premiere groups of bomba. Currently the group is produced by William Cepeda. —Courtesy Calabash Music
