Jacaras ensemble, formed in the year 2009 by Prof. Piotr Zaleski specializes in Spanish baroque music from the 17th and 18th century guitar tablatures.

Dances like tarantella, fandango, or folia played a significant role in the history of music and are still known to this day, unlike canario which survived only in local communities, or mariona and cumbee which passed into oblivion.

The common trait of all the dances is extraordinary and varied rhythm, which later in the 19th century became the basis for flamenco. The rhythm was emphasized by castanets, tambourines, specific strumming technique (rasgueado), or even by banging the soundboard.

The dances usually consisted of a set of improvised variations; variation technique being commonly used among guitarists. The first variations ever to be published are Luys de Narvaez’s Diferencias for guitar from 1538. Many dances show the influence of Spanish, Indian, and even African culture – which was of great interest to the Spaniards penetrating the areas of America.