Pablo Paulo Milanés Arias, better known as Pablo Milanés, was born in Bayamo, Cuba in 1943. He was a self-taught artist who started his career…
Artist Profiles: Pablo Milanés
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.
Artist Profiles: Orquesta Sublime
Orquesta Sublime is one of the great groups from the age of the cha cha chá. Founded by flute player Melquiades Fundora in 1956, it…
Artist Profiles: Orquesta Cumbre
Orquesta Cumbre is an outstanding group of Cuban popular music from Pinar del Rio with a large repertoire of sones, guarachas, boleros, cha cha chás,…
Artist Profiles: Orlando “Puntilla” Rios
Orlando “Puntilla” Rios was born December 26, 1947 in Havana, Cuba. He was a master batá drummer. Orlando “Puntilla” Rios formed the group Nueva Generación…
Artist Profiles: Orestes Vilató
Orestes Vilató is a remarkable percussionist. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest figures in the history of the timbales. He was born May 4,…
Fascinating Ud and Santur Encounters
Rahim AlHaj Trio – One Sky (Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, 2018) Ud virtuoso Rahim AlHaj presents a new set of works in trio format. His colleagues…
Artist Profiles: Noel Nicola
Noel Nicola was born in Havana in 1946. The singer and composer was born is a family of musicians. His father, Issac, was a well…
Artist Profiles: Mongo Santamaría
Ramán “Mongo” Santamaria was born in 1922 in Havana’s Jesus María barrio. Originally a violinist as a child, he switched to percussion and dropped out…
Artist Profiles: Orlando Valle “Maraca”
Flutist, pianist, composer and arranger, Orlando Valle “Maraca” was a prodigy child. He wrote his first song at the early age of 10. After completing…
Artist Profiles: María Ochoa
María Ochoa was born on September 24, 1944 in Gran Piedra, Alto Songo, Santiago de Cuba. Her parents were both singers and treseros that transmitted…