section_path: Post-war jazz/Afro-Cuban jazz (cu-bop)/African cross-rhythm
section_name: African cross-rhythm
paragraph_text: African cross-rhythm
  
  Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria first recorded his composition " Afro Blue " in 1959. "Afro Blue" was the first jazz standard built upon a typical African three-against-two (3:2) cross-rhythm, or hemiola. The piece begins with the bass repeatedly playing 6 cross-beats per each measure of, or 6 cross-beats per 4 main beats—6:4 (two cells of 3:2).
  
  The following example shows the original ostinato "Afro Blue" bass line. The cross noteheads indicate the main beats (not bass notes).
  
  When John Coltrane covered "Afro Blue" in 1963, he inverted the metric hierarchy, interpreting the tune as a jazz waltz with duple cross-beats superimposed (2:3). Originally a B ♭ pentatonic blues, Coltrane expanded the harmonic structure of "Afro Blue".
  
  Perhaps the most respected Afro-cuban jazz combo of the late 1950s was vibraphonist Cal Tjader 's band. Tjader had Mongo Santamaria, Armando Peraza, and Willie Bobo on his early recording dates.