cuban music

Salsa music lovers know Ismael Rivera as "El Sonero Mayor", but before Ismael was even born, Cuban singer Abelardo Barroso was already touring Europe as the main voice of Cuban "son", and becoming the first "sonero mayor". "Cha Cha Cha"…

Juan de Marcos and his Afro-Cuban All-Stars are back in the U.S. with a 14-piece ensemble that will play classic and innovative types of Cuban music with a tinge of jazz like no other musical band. In 2014, the founder of the Buena Vista…

Labeling musicians as one of Jazz, Latin Jazz, Salsa, or any other music genre is not something Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval likes to hear. In this blog I share my conversation with the 10-time Grammy winner that will visit Seattle's…

"Descarga Cubana" and "Jala Jala Woe Woe Baby" bring a snapshot of the New York music scene of the 1960's. Andale Records undusted these classic recordings by Chihuahua and La New Breed Orquesta that are a Latin music collectors dream.…

You might not recognize the name of Cesar Portillo, but if you care about Latin music history perhaps you want to read below to learn about an important figure in Latin music, particularly the Bolero Filin. The news came out this week…

The musical mastermind of the Buena Vista Social Club is still driving Cuban music to the forefront. Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, is back in the U.S. delighting audiences with anything from Afro-Cuban jazz to the traditional Cuban “son”. The…

Influencing and evolving the way in which one of the most vital and fundamental instruments in Latin music is played qualifies 91-year old Candido Camero as a Latin music innovator. His particular musical background may have helped him…

Cuban flautist Orlando "Maraca" Valle is one of the most important producers, composers and performers of anything from Latin Jazz to Salsa to Cuban Timba in the music scene today. I had a chance to talk to Maraca ahead of his…

I was lucky enough to be able to get a ticket to see Los Muñequitos de Matanzas as they stopped in Seattle to present their show at the University of Washington. This legendary Cuban group, flag-bearer of Afro-Cuban folk music, culture, …