Artist Profiles: Pancho Amat
Francisco Amat Rodríguez, better known as Pancho Amat, is one of those rare Cuban musicians who dominate practically all the secrets of the island. He…
Artist Profiles: Pablo Milanés
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: 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…