Rafael Cepeda Atiles (San Juan, Puerto Rico)

Rafael Cepeda Atiles (San Juan, Puerto Rico) Rafael Cepeda Atiles (1910-1996), known as 'The Patriarch of Bomba and Plena,' was a pillar in the preservation of Afro-Puerto Rican folk music. As a composer, performer, and dancer, he dedicated his life to keeping traditional dances and rhythms alive. His family, the Cepeda Family, has continued his mission through institutions like the Tata Cepeda School of Bomba and Plena, ensuring that his cultural legacy endures for generations.