Flamenco Rumba

Flamenco rumba, also called rumba flamenca, rumba gitana, gypsy rumba, Spanish rumba or, simply, rumba, is a style of flamenco music from Spain. It is known as one of the ida y vuelta (return songs), music which diverged in the new world, then returned to Spain in a new form. In Cuba (before returning to Spain in the 1850s), the music was performed with percussion instruments. The dance that it accompanied was improvised with prominent hip and shoulder movements, more overtly sexual than other styles of flamenco dances.

Its style derived from the influence of Afro-Cuban Rumba. After it was brought back from Cuba to Spain in the 19th century it was modified to be played with guitars and hand clapping, some body slaps, castanets, and cajon (box drums). Modern performers (guitarists and dance groups) such as Paco de Lucía and Tomatito have incorporated congas and cajon to the percussion section, as well as palmas (hand clapping), but have not prominently featured the claves which were prominent in Cuba.