Why Cuban Music?
The Full Story
This is really about what catches our passion. We fell in love, and like in any love story, worked hard to nourish and earn the gifts that love brings.
The journey was different for each band member, but they all say: "Something grabbed our hearts, and now, when we play together, Magic happens". Learning and rehearsing music is very hard, and it is of great satisfaction to see these rhythms combine and come to life.
For me, Michael (the band's founder and Tres player), it all started in 1998 when the "Buena Vista Social Club" came out. I couldn't stop listening to it. Sitting in my bedroom, the sounds and language made me feel like I just discovered something amazing in a very far away land.
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I really wanted to accompany those songs on my guitar, but I couldn't figure out how! The rhythms were out of my reach and I had no one to break it down for me. It was utterly foreign and beauitful.
Fast forward to 2007, I discovered Cuban partner dancing (what is callled Casino and Son, but in the USA named "Cuban Salsa"). I took my first steps at ODC with Ryan and Sidney, a talented and relentless pair of dance teachers.
By 2014, I have been dancing 4-5 nights a week and most of my social circle were dancers and Cubans. I felt ready to travel to Cuba and see this birthplace of the dance and music that I love so much.
I arrived in Santiago de Cuba (without my luggage which stayed behind in Miami), and couldn't take my eyes and ear off the musicians playing a guitar like instrument called "Tres Cubano". Finally, I thought, I understand how the music from "Buena Vista Social Club" is played!
From that moment onwards, I have been travelling frequently to Cuba, playing, dancing and studying with great friends and amazing humble musicians: Jorge Luna from the Santiago All Stars, Geovanni from the Familia Valera Miranda and Estudiantina Inversora, Prof. Asin from the Escula de Bellas Artes in GTMO, Andres, Carmelo and Pirolo from Changui Guantanamo, Vladimir from Tambores Enrique Bonne.
When I play Cuban music, I feel the heart of the friendships I made on the island, the sincere speech, and the deeper than deep intellectual and artistic richness in every fiber of Cuban musicians. When the band locks in with each other the complex poly-rhythms, I feel the satisfaction of a deep puzzle finally solved.
When our love of the music is authentic and we take sincere pleasure in playing with each other, we bring this richness and friendship to you, whether you are listening, dancing, or just tapping your feet.
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can play for your venue or event!