Category: Artists

Born in Havana, Leonel O Zúñiga, saxophonist, flutist and composer, began his musical career with the guitar. The first group that he formed, at the age of 12, was “Onda Chá” with a charanga formation interpreting themes of Cuban music in vogue at that time. He began his academic training at the prestigious Amadeo Roldán school in Havana but moved to the Ignacio Cervantes school, where in addition to his guitar studies, he began to study the flute, under the tutelage of the prestigious Alfredo Portela.

Later he became interested in the cello, and later also in the saxophone. Simultaneous his studies with his collaborations in different orchestras, among which “Iresón”, “Roberto Faz” and “El Muso and his orchestra” stand out, with which he makes different tours, both in Cuba and abroad. A few years ago he moved to Spain, where he formed his own group “Havana Street Band”, with which he went on different tours, sharing the stage with some of the most prestigious Cuban groups, such as José Luis Cortés and “NG La Banda”. currently on the Ressons Jazz circuit, sponsored by the Generalitat de Catalunya.

His discography is made up of the following albums: “La Bola de Candela”, with the group Iresón, “Harta” with Roberto Faz; “Between the sword and the wall” with Muso and his orchestra; “The Art of Improvisation” with Kantaka and Yambambé, with Osnide. He is currently in the process of releasing his first album as leader of his formation, which he will title: “Con guapería”

The revelation group of the Latin scene. The rising star of its genre. Leonel O Zúñiga, saxophonist, flutist and composer, leads a group of excellent musicians from whom the best salsa of the moment springs, the most innovative. As a leader, composer and arranger, he manages to give another vision of traditional music and the Latin genre, exploring new ways to fuse these elements with jazz, Afro, funk and other languages. As a flutist, he has gone further, he has expanded the musical jurisdiction of the Cuban flute, taking it to unparalleled heights.

The individual quality of its members is enhanced as a group, to give their music the rhythm and flavor that make them unforgettable.

They have an interesting repertoire of their own songs of great strength, and in musical arrangements of great quality, of traditional Cuban songs as well as international songs. These have been performed by extraordinary Cuban arrangers, including pianist Lázaro Calvo and bassist Roberto Riverón.

The show is not only made up of its rhythmic music, but also of choreographies that inevitably encourage us to follow them. Seeing and listening to them is a pleasure. It is well known that in Cuba, musical education is one of the pillars of the educational system of this country and that the musical sensitivity of Cubans is enhanced for this very reason, which is why it is common for a Cuban musician to dominate several instruments. Such is the case of the director of this formation, Zúñiga as he is known in the musical world, who although he presents himself as a flutist and tenor saxophonist, he also dominates the baritone sax, the cello and the guitar and is capable of playing other instruments with dignity.

Although this fact is quite common in Cuba, it is no less true that Zúñiga is a highly respected musician for his interpretive quality and musical sensitivity, having been part of big-name groups in this country.

As usual in groups of this style, they also have a Latin jazz repertoire in which their brilliant wind section stands out, with a traditional structure: sax, trumpet, trombone, complemented by the flute. In this case, they also have their own songs and adaptations of songs by great musicians, such as “Claudia” by Chucho Valdés.

Luis BOFILL ( band leader, singer & minor percussionist)

https://www.guarachamos.com

 He started his career at the end of the 70\’s with the \”Movimiento de la Nueva Trova\” at the University of Havana as a member of the group \”Cuba Nueva\” which played traditional Cuban music.

 In 1981 he participated on a national TV competition and won as a soloist. This was the birth of his successful career, with performances in theaters, TV programs, nightclubs and several tours across the island.  Luis earned awards in festivals and competitions, and was invited to perform with important musicians such as, Arturo Sandoval, Albita Rodriguez, Tata Güines, Omara Portuondo, Orquesta Aragón and Francisco Céspedes. This made him one of the most important figures of Cuban music at the time.

After leaving the island, Luis settled in Europe. There he performed with several bands such

as \”Color Latino\”, \”Salsamania\” and created his own band \”Nueva Visión\” in Berlin, participating in festivals and clubs in Germany, Italy and Austria. Some of the clubs and festivals in which he performed are Quasimodo, Haus der Kulturen der Welt and Flöz in Berlin, the Fabrik in Hamburg, the folk music festival FOLKEST in Northern Italy, the Jazzmeile in Berlin and others.

In 1994, he came to Miami, to perform at one of the hottest nightclubs of the city in the 90\’s, Cafe Nostaglia. Recording two productions; \”Café Nostalgia live!\” and \”Te dí la vida entera\”. In 2000 Luis formed his own band. He has performed on stages in South America and the United States. In 2005 he recorded the album \”Costumbres\” with SONY-BMG latin with the songs of Juan Gabriel. His latest album \”Made in Habana\” (2012) was produced by Descemer Bueno ( producer of Enrique Iglesias, Yerbabuena, Cubiche and others) and Roberto Carcasses (leader of \”Interactivo\”, a fusion Cuban band) with guest singers; Alkebulan from NY and Kelvis Ochoa from Cuba.

About the latest record production:

In 2017, Luis Bofill, has completed a new project: \”Arsenio Essential\”. A CD honoring one of the most important composers of Cuban music, Arsenio Rodriguez. Musical arrangements and produced by multiple Grammy nominations and Winner, Orlando \”Landy\” Mosqueda.

\”The keys of son and guaguancó, as well as the structure of the ensemble that Arsenio consolidated in the 1940s in Cuba, spread throughout America in an explosive trail of flavor through the salsa orchestras of the seventies that relaunched His unique Montunos by means of an unprecedented rise of sandunga in the history of Latin music, turning the \”Brujo de Macurijes\” into the central figure of the birth of salsa as the most vivid and tangible expression of the new Latin American baroque.

The essential compositions of the \”Wonderful Blind\” are now reappearing in the United States with the new production of the renowned Havana singer Luis Bofill entitled \”Arsenio Essential\”, an extraordinary record work done in Miami with total respect for the original work of the legendary Cuban\”

Jairo Grijalba Ruiz, March 2, 2017.
Historian, musical essayist

LUIS BOFILL (Director, vocalista y percusión menor)

Comenzó su carrera a finales de los años 70 con el \”Movimiento de la Nueva Trova\” en la Universidad de La Habana como miembro del grupo \”Cuba Nueva\” que tocaba música tradicional cubana.
En 1981 participó en el concurso nacional de televisión y ganó mencion como solista. Este fue el nacimiento de su exitosa carrera, con presentaciones en teatros, programas de televisión y tours por toda la isla. Luis ganó premios en festivales y concursos, y fue invitado para actuar con importantes músicos como Arturo Sandoval, Albita Rodríguez, Tata Güines, Opus 13, Pancho Céspedes, entre otros. Esto lo convirtió en uno de los más importantes figuras de la música cubana de la época.
Después de salir de la isla, Luis se estableció en Berlin. Allí actuó con varias bandas como \”Color Latino\”, \”Salsamania\” y creó su propia banda \”Nueva Visión\” en Berlín, participando en festivales y clubes en Alemania, Italia y Austria. Algunos de los clubes y festivales en los que actuó son Quasimodo, Haus der Kulturen der Welt y Flöz en Berlín, el Fabrik en Hamburgo, el festival de música folk FOLKEST en el norte de Italia, el Jazzmeile en Berlín y otros.
En 1994, él vino a Miami, para realizar en uno de los clubs nocturnos más importantes de la ciudad en los años 90, Café Nostaglia, grabando dos producciones; \”Café Nostalgia live!\” y \”Te dí la vida entera\”. En 2000 Luis formó su propia banda. Ha actuado en escenarios de Sudamérica y Estados Unidos. En 2005 graba el disco \”Costumbres\” con SONY-BMG latino con las canciones de Juan Gabriel. Su último disco \”Made in Habana\” (2012) fue producido por Descemer Bueno (productor de Enrique Iglesias, Yerbabuena, Cubiche y otros) y Roberto Carcasses (líder de \”Interactivo\”) con cantantes invitados; la nuyorican Alkebulan y el cubano Kelvis Ochoa.
En estos momentos, 2017 está lanzando una nueva producción \”Arsenio Essential\”, con música en casi su totalidad de Arsenio Rodríguez. Cuenta con la producción musical y arreglos de Orlando \”Landy\” Mosqueda, nominado en varias ocasiones y ganador de Grammys.

Las claves del son y del guaguancó, así como también la estructura del conjunto que Arsenio consolidó en la decada de los cuarentas en Cuba se expandieron por toda América en un explosivo reguero de sabrosura a través de las orquestas de salsa de los años setenta que relanzaron sus inigualables montunos mediante una escalada de sandunga sin precedentes en la historia de la música latina, convirtiendo al \”Brujo de Macurijes\” en la figura central del nacimiento de la salsa como la expresión más viva y tangible del nuevo barroco latinoamericano.

Ahora reaparecen en Estados Unidos las composiciones esenciales del \”Ciego Maravilloso\” con la nueva producción del reconocido cantante habanero, Luis Bofil titulada \”Arsenio Essential\”, un extraordinario trabajo discográfico hecho en Miami con total respeto por la obra original del legendario tresero cubano\”

Jairo Grijalba Ruiz, Marzo 2, 2017

Historiador, ensayista musical

Singer Luis Bofill has the kind of voice that calls out for a good time. The Cuban native is a Miami nightlife institution known for his classic bolero styling, lusty laugh and all-night-long enthusiasm. He reprises songs made famous by Arsenio Rodríguez on his latest sing-along, dance-ready solo album.

Judy Cantor-Navas
Billboard Magazine

\”Quien no conozca a Luis Bofill en Miami no conoce la noches de Miami!\”

José Antonio Evora, Nuevo Herald, Miami

\”A well-known nightclub in Miami gave birth to Grupo Café Nostalgia (Naïve), who perform live in a fashion that adds to sophistication elements of languishing regret and 3a.m. smokiness and sleaziness, qualities found not simply in the group\’s music but in the resplendent voice of lead singer Luis Bofill\”

\”A well-known nightclub in Miami gave birth to Grupo Café Nostalgia (Naïve), who perform live in a fashion that adds to sophistication elements of languishing regret and 3a.m. smokiness and sleaziness, qualities found not simply in the group\’s music but in the resplendent voice of lead singer Luis Bofill\”

Fredric Koeppel, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis

\”Café Nostalgia\” haunt lieu du \”nouveau son de Miami\” et d\’une nouvelle émigration cubaine Véronique Mortaigne, Le Monde, Paris

\”Luis Bofill, una de las voces más ricas y sugerentes en color y textura, tiene a su cargo la mayor parte del repertorio (CD \”Te dí la vida entera\”), y en él se muestra como un camaleón; a cada canción, un nuevo ropaje, una variación de la esencia de cada tema\”

Eliseo Cardona, Nuevo Herald, Miami

\”Grupo Nostalgia and guests put on an impressive and original show. Luis Bofill cements his reputation as Miami\’s own Benny More.\”

Judy Kantor, New Times, Miami

\”Since he\’s been a resident of South Florida for a while now, it is in this album, Made in Habana, that he carefully sheds some of his Cuban roots in favor of the local flavors. While this is a straight-up party, you can feel elements of Colombia and other Caribbean spices in the mix. This is a good record, but Bofill\’s even better live, where his gleaming bald head rocks back and forth, sometimes in pain, sometimes in ecstasy.\”

Abel Folgar, New Times, Miami

\”So finally this morning I got to listen to Luis Bofill\’s \”Made in Habana.\” Wow. I need to listen to it again, but my first impression is that it is a gem of an album. Superb production, great songs, astounding swing. This is Cuban music made by young Cuban musicians (coming and going) who give a fuck about American mainstream pop…..\”

Eliseo Cardona, independent jornalist, Miami Released productions: \”Cafe Nostalgia live!\” (Naive Records, 1997) \”Te dí la vida entera\” (Naive Records, 1999) \”Costumbres\” (BMG Latin USA-Sony, 2005) \”Made in Habana\” (Independent, 2012) \”Arsenio Essential\” (Independent, 2017) Collaborating in: Julio Iglesias \”Divorcio\” (SONY 2003) David Torrens \”Ni de aquí ni de allá\” (EMI, 2001) Raúl Del Sol \”Caminar Soñando\” (Alumbra Record 2007) Grupo Cubiche \”Cubiche\” (Independent 2009) Projects for \”Playing for Change\” (2011-2013) Pepin Rivero \”Cantos Viajeros\” (children music 2018) Boris Larramendi \”Allá en Cuba\” (2020)

Pedro José Calvo, better known to Cuban music fans as Pedrito Calvo Jr., was born into Havana’s musical elite on March 4, 1979. The son of one of Los Van Van’s most popular and charismatic singers, Pedrito Calvo, it was inevitable that he would one day follow in his father’s footsteps as a vocalist. Growing up as part of the Van Van family must have been an education in itself, and at the age of 14 he began his formal music training at the Escuela Elemental Guillermo Tomás de Guanabacoa. He commenced his studies in guitar but later studied voice.

In his early years he sang with various amateur groups but by 17 he began his professional career singing with LM Sobredosis. He also sang with La Farandula and La Charanga Forever before beginning a 5-year stint in Pedrito Calvo y La Justicia. During this time he learned more than just the technical aspects of being a vocalist. Under the tutelage of his father he also learned showmanship and mastered the skill of connecting with an audience. He further honed his stagecraft working in musicals and shows such as “Paradise Road” and “Mango Tropical Cafè”. During his career he has shared the stage with great Cuban artists such as Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, Pio Leyva, Los Van Van, Amadito Valdés and Barbarito Torres.

Early in 2009 Pedrito decided it was time to step out on his own, and he founded Pedrito Calvo Jr. y Su Orquesta. Their first international tour was in conjunction with the 2009 Munich Cubamemucho congress. Since then the band has performed in France, Germany, Italy, Slovakia, Slovenia, Mexico, Venezuela, Poland, Denmark, Austria and in Cuba of course. Check the Videos page to see Pedrito Calvo Jr. y Su Orquesta perfoming live on Italian television.

As of 2011 Pedrito Calvo Jr. y Su Orquesta have recorded several singles and the CD Mi Fiesta Latina. See the Discography page for a more detailed look at their work. Pedrito’s music covers a range of Cuban genres including timba, salsa, cha-cha-chá and salsatón as well as other popular Latin genres such as bachata. His songs have also been featured on Latin music compilations and are getting much airplay from DJs.

https://www.timba.com/artists/pedrito-calvo-jr

Pedrito Calvo Jr. nació en La Habana, Cuba, el 4 de marzo de 1979, hijo de PEDRO CALVO, el gran cantante cubano.

Él empieza sus estudios musicales en 1993 en la escuela elemental de musica Guillermo Tomas de guanabacoa, cuba, en guitarra y mas tarde en canto.

A inicios de su carrera canta en varios grupos musicales de pequenos y grandes formatos a nivel aficionado, hasta que con 17 anos comienza profesionalmente a cantar con “LM SOBREDOSIS”, “LA FARANDULA”, “CHARANGA FOREVER” y por 5 anos con “PEDRITO CALVO y LA JUSTICIA”, orquesta de su padre, donde tambien ha registrado en varios discos de la orquesta. Su carrera ha crecido adquiriendo gran dominio del escenario trabajando en musicales y espectaculos como “Paradise Road” y “Mango Tropical Cafe” y conciertos variados.

Pedrito calvo junior a compartido escenario con grandes artistas de la musica cubana como Ibrahim Ferrer,Omara Portuondo,Pio Leiva,Los Van van, Amadito Valdez, Barbarito Torres, etc.

Pedrito Calvo Jr. funda su orquesta a inicios del 2009 compuesta por musicos profesionales de fama en cuba y europa. Participa en su primera gira internacional con la orquesta al “CUBAMEMUCHO 2009” alemania, uno de los festivales mas importante en toda europa.

Teniendo gran exito y aceptacion del publico con su musica. Sus ultimos trabajos discograficos estan incluidos en compilaciones latinas y se escuchan en varias salas de italia, europa y latinoamerica.

https://www.buenamusica.com/pedrito-calvo-jr/biografia

Pedrito calvo jr at casino Miami 4.12.25

Biografía de Jenn All Jenn All (Jennifer Almeida) cantante, actriz, compositora, pianista, youtuber, nacida en La Habana y nacionalizada española. Comenzó a cantar y actuar a los 7 años, integrando la compañía de teatro infantil La Colmenita. A los 9 comienza a estudiar música en conservatorios y se gradúa en Dirección Coral en 2005; culminando Licenciada en Dirección Orquestal por la Universidad de las Artes de Cuba en 2011.

A los 17 años formó parte de la famosa agrupación de música popular Arnaldo y su Talismán en Cuba. Desde entonces ha compartido escenario con los artistas más destacados de su país.

Con 19 años comenzó a trabajar como actriz y presentadora en la TV cubana. Entre otros trabajos se destacan las series Bajo el mismo sol y Flores con Patricia y los programas Cuerda Viva. Más conocida en Cuba por el programa infantil Amanecer feliz, que interpretó durante 8 años, a la vez que dirigía su coro escénico infantil Estrellitas con el que colaboró en diversas producciones discográficas entre ellas Chiquilín. Su primer álbum de estudio como cantautora es Ofrenda (2012) producido por el reconocido Silvio Rodríguez. Se trata de poesía musicalizada del poeta cubano Rubén Martínez Villena con música, arreglos y voz de Jennifer.

En 2014 emigró a España para unirse a su familia comenzando su carrera desde cero.

Fue cantante de producción para cruceros (MSC, Viking Line, Royal Caribbean y Norwegian), participando en grandes producciones por todo el mundo, entre ellas la del musical Cenicienta y SIX the musical. En España trabajó para la TV en Centro Médico, la serie Matadero e incursionó en En España trabajó para la TV en Centro Médico, la serie Matadero e incursionó en doblajes para cine. Como cantante y actriz, formó parte de la gira española \”El guardaespaldas\” 2021-2022.

En cine la podemos ver y escuchar como la cantante cubana en la película de James Bond \”Sin tiempo para morir\” estrenada en 2021. La grabación de la canción \”Dónde estabas tú\” se realizó en los estudios de los Beatles Abbey Road Studios. Actualmente trabaja en el lanzamiento de nueva música y en su canal divulgativo de YouTube, para el cual cambió su nombre artístico a Jenn All y ya cuenta con más de 50.000 seguidores hasta la fecha.

https://www.cortaditoson.com

For your listening pleasure and consumption, we bring you Cortadito!

Cortadito [ kawr-tuh-dee-toh ]

1. An espresso shot with milk. A short version of café con leche (coffee with milk).
2. Cuban Folk / Country music band from Miami connecting the past and present to bring you the future of Cuban Son.

What is Son?

Son (pronounced sOwn): a style of music that was created  two centuries ago in the eastern province of Cuba known as Oriente.  

Our story

Since its origins twelve years ago, the evolution of Cortadito has led it to become one of the torchbearers of a pop culture phenomenon that is two centuries strong. A traditional folk and acoustic band that focuses on performing one of the earliest styles of Cuban country music known as Son (pronounced sOwn), their sound can best be described as reminiscent of the famed Buena Vista Social Club.

This dynamic, Miami-based ensemble has been joined on stage by Grammy and Latin Grammy award-winning singer Aymeé Nuviola, world-renowned flutist Nestor Torres, and has performed with legendary member of Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa. In October of 2022, the group was invited to perform at the Kennedy Center\’s Millennium Stage in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Jose Elias founded the band alongside Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet, from Santiago de Cuba, in November of 2011 after a 12-year stint with Conjunto Progreso that garnered him a Grammy nomination for the album Masters of Cuban Son. The duo was an instant success and was celebrated for their ability to create a big band sound with such a small lineup. They released their first CD titled Abriendo Caminos in 2012, which featured an original composition by each of the artists “Delicias Caribeña” (Elias) and “Te Lo Perdiste” (Delet).

In 2018, the group released their follow-up CD titled Canciones de Julio, which included five original songs and featured the participation of double bass player Yorgis Goiricelaya and Roinel Vega, who performed with the likes of Albita Rodriguez and Oscar De Leon.

The current lineup includes bass player Alberto Pantaleon, who has toured with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and is currently touring with Eliades Ochoa in the United States. The group also features trumpet player Tony Perigo, who started his professional career at the age of 17 playing with Cuban songstress Omara Portuondo. Rounding off

the group on percussion is Santiago McCook, who is referred to as \”El Pulpo\” (the octopus), due to his one-of-a-kind multi-percussion setup that allows him to play the role of three musicians in one.

In May of 2024 the group will release their first full-length feature album titled “The Guajiro Triangle”. The album will feature a variety of original compositions that celebrate the traditions of Cuban music in the modern world. The triangle represents the connection between Santiago de Cuba, Havana, and Miami, the group\’s home and final destination of this musical journey that was established two centuries ago.

Mercy Ávila Cuban singer and songwriter. She made her debut in 2003 at the Cabaret Nacional with the Proyecto Latino group, forming part of the musical magazine, standing out as a soloist and dancer. A year later he joined the compilation of dance music “Son Candela” with which he toured the island of Cuba on different tours. It is with Son Candela that she made her first record recording, with the record label Avanti Records, recording the single from the album “Malditos Celos” In 2007 she was chosen to record the theme song for the Habanero Carnivals with Son Candela as the main soloist , sharing with luxury guests, the fabulous Papines, Cuban percussion group pioneers in Afro-Cuban fusion and Rumba.

In 2008 she began her career as a soloist and soon closed her first international contract that led her to tour all over Turkey for two years. In 2010 she was invited to sing with the Antalya Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of maestro Adalberto Ávila. At the end of 2010 he joined the Lady Salsa Orchestra and in 2011 he began with the Las Canelas Orchestra participating in different television programs and countless concerts throughout the country.

In 2013 he resumed his career as a soloist and this time he began a tour of several cities in Canada for 3 months. That same year he settled in the United States of America, where he resumed his career sharing with various musical projects such as the Impacto Ensemble, Miami Riverside Orchestra, Zarabanda, Miami Girls Tumbao, among others. She met music producer Julio Montalvo who offered her a Cuban to join his Big Band and soon after she created her own Mercy Ávila & his Orchestra, where they can listen to his compositions and improve versions of Irakere, Adalberto Alvarez, Chano Pozo etc. She has shared the stage with producers such as Sergio George, Kanye West, Oscar de Leon

https://www.instagram.com/mercy_avila7

https://www.youtube.com/@mercedesavila8801/featured