Juan Carlos Formell was born February 2, 1964 in Havana, Cuba. He is a fourth generation musician. The restrictions of the government-controlled music industry in his homeland made it difficult for the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and bassist to express his new ideas. “While still in my twenties, at a time when most musicians are full of hope, I was resigned to a future of marginalization,” Juan Carlos recalls.
In 1993 he fled to the United States, to make his own music, his way. He went to New York where he established a band, and in 1998 he was signed to the short-lived world music label Wicklow Records. His years of struggle in exile were vindicated when his debut CD, Songs from a Little Blue House received a nomination for the Grammy 2000.
His next release, in 2002, was the critically-acclaimed Calles Del Paraiso (EMI Latin). Then, after several years of touring with his band and some major concerts — with Buena Vista Social Club veteran Eliades Ochoa, and world music stars Cesaria Evora, Milton Nascimento and Susana Baca — Juan-Carlos decided to take on the challenge of a solo guitar project. Inspired by a sojourn in New Orleans, Juan-Carlos returned to New orleans in May of 2005 to record Cemeteries & Desire, which was released by Narada Records in August 2005. The album features powerful original ballads — songs now haunted by the devastation of the city.
His project Son Radical was the spontaneous combustion of rock en clave that came out of Los Angeles recording sessions with two other exceptional Cuban musicians — drummer/producer Jimmy Branly (of NG la Banda) and bassist Carlitos del Puerto (of Caravana Cubana). “The son is the root of everything,” said Juan Carlos. “Working from that base, we have the credentials to break the rules of Cuban music and the cliches of the Latin music establishment. We broke away from Cuba because we couldn’t accept the restrictions and censorship — we’re a new generation of musicians who have come out of Cuba with something to say, with a mission to expand the definition of what Cuban music is and can be.”
According to Radio Habana Cuba, Juan Carlos Formell passed away on Friday, May 6 2023.
Discography:
Songs From A Little Blue House (Wicklow, 1999)
Las Calles Del Paraíso (EMI Latin 2002)
Cemeteries & Desire (Narada 2005)
Son Radical (Narada 2006)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Updated biography/