Question

2.What was the significance of "Machito and His Afro-Cubans"?

Answer 1

The combined Cuban music with jazz and swing.  The Afro-Cubans were a latin jazz band founded by Machito in 1940. 

Answer 2

The significance of the band name, Machito and His Afro-Cubans, was first time there was public acknowledgement of something that was African driven. The band came became a bridge between Latin and American worlds.