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Home , Cascarita, Compay Segundo, Guillermo Barreto, Ibrahim Ferrer, Puntillita

fOR PERFORMING flftTS Governors State University

Presents

AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS

Saturday, April 21, 2001 8:00 pm

2000/2001 Season sponsored in part by a grant from the: I JUAN DE MARCOS

AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS

"This music speaks to you in a natural voice. You don't have that in modern music anywhere else. In it is there everyday, flowing like a river." - -

Juan De Marcos Gonzalez, a central figure in Cuban music today, has a mission to show the world the wealth, diversity and vitality of Cuban music. His work with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the , Ruben Gonzalez, , and others has made an extraordinary contribution to raising the profile of Cuban music throughout the world.

As the unsung hero of the Buena Vista Social Club, Gonzalez is set to take center stage with his Afro-Cuban All Stars. He formed the group as a multi-generational big band to explore a broader scope than the Buena Vista projects, ambitiously paying tribute to the diversity of Cuban music, marrying the past with the present. It is a band for dancing - combining a variety of contrasting styles including classic , contemporary , swinging big band guajira, Afro-Cuban jazz, danzon, the pure tribal rhythms of abakua, and more.

Gonzalez was born in in 1954 and grew up surrounded by music (his father was a singer and played with the great Arsenio Rodriguez, among others). At university he studied hydraulic engineering and Rus- sian before working as a consultant at the Agronomic Science Institute, gaining his doctorate in 1989. While at university he co-founded the group Sierra Maestra in 1978.

Styled as a traditional Cuban septeto group (, trumpet, bass, percus- sion arid vocals), the dynamic young band's aim was to bring about an appreciation of Cuban son by the youth of the island. The band achieved great success, recording fourteen albums in Cuba, touring Africa and and receiving various awards.

In 1994, Gonzalez began his association with the London-based record label World Circuit, when the band recorded the album 'Dundunbanza'. For this recording, World Circuit's Nick Gold encouraged the group to expand their line-up to include piano, congas and a trumpet section, in a tribute to the forties and fifties styles of the legendary Cuban musician AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS Arsenio Rodriguez.

Having found success and a common ground Gonzalez and Gold looked to develop it further with a big band recording in Havana, featuring the neglected stars of this 'golden age' of Cuban music. Luis Alemany Conde Trompeta Yaure Mufiiz Rumayor Trompeta The Afro-Cuban All Stars album was the first to be recorded in the now Julio Enrique Padron Veranes Trompeta famous Buena Vista Social Club sessions and Gonzalez' band provided Antonio Leal Rodriguez Trombon the springboard for many of the musicians for the success that followed. Juan Carlos Marin Eloseguy Trombon Alberto Munoz Martinez Trombon Following the albums' release Gonzalez led the Afro-Cuban All Stars on Raul Gutierrez Villanueva Saxofon their debut European and U.S. tours and directed the Buena Vista Social Ricardo Munoz Martinez Bajo Club in concerts in Amsterdam and New York's Carnegie Hall. David Alfaro Garcia Piano Rolando Salgado Palacio Bongo Despite the new found worldwide success of Cuban music, it is the appreciation of the music within Cuba itself that Gonzalez finds most Jose Espinosa Martinez Timbal satisfying: Adel Gonzalez Gomez Congas Luis Lang Morejon Violin "When you live in an isolated country you always think things are Pedro Calvo Cantante better elsewhere. Because of that the influence of American music has Felix Baloy Valdes Santiez Cantante been very strong. People were trying to play American music before they Felix Valdes Ibanez Cantante learned Cuban music. We have to use what is good from around the world, but first we have to be conscious of the importance of our own Juan De Marcos Gonzalez Cardenas Director, tres music. A few years ago young Cuban musicians didn't care about real Gliceria Abreu Caron Manager Cuban music. Now there are hundreds of bands playing traditional music. Sandra Walker Directora de la gira Of course music will change, there will be new dances and styles. But Alain Martinez de la Torre Ingeniero de sonido we are going to keep the roots. 1 am very confident about that" KahyaEngler Ingeniera de Having been instrumental in these various projects Gonzalez is set to monitores move into the limelight with his new edition of Afro-Cuban All Stars and their ambitious new, forward-looking album 'Distinto, diferente'. "We have to use all the heritage of Cuban music to create a sound of the future," says Gonzalez. "It's important to have that continuity and to fight for the identity of Cuban music."

Gonzalez is not a man to stand still, and although he will continue his association with World Circuit, Gonzalez is currently forming his own production company/record label, Ahora to continue to open up the wealth of talent in Cuba. Juan De Marcos' Congas - Miguel Aurelio "Anga" Diaz Zayas AFRO-CUBAN ALL STARS (Roy Hargrove, Steve Coleman, Irakere) Studied at the Escuela Nacional de Arte. Founder of Opus 13, the most influential BIOGRAPHIES new Afro-Cuban Jazz group of the '80s. Member of Irakere for 7 years. Consid- ered the most important Cuban conguero of the present generation. Has recorded with Roy Hargrove (Grammy 1998 for "Havana") Steve Coleman, Irakere, Tito Piano - David Alfaro Garcia Puente, etc. His own first record Pasaporte, with Orlando 'Marcos' Valle, is (NG La Banda, El Greco etc.) considered a classic of contemporary Latin Jazz. A total all-round percussionist and great specialist in Afro-Cuban music. Recorded on the first Afro-Cuban CD Studied at the Havana Conservatoire and with maestros Chucho Valdes, and the second (not yet released) CD by Ruben Gonzalez. Ruben Gonzalez and Frank Emilio. Started his professional career as keyboardist in Pablo Milanes' group, then worked as pianist with NG LA Timbales - Amado Valentin Valdes Perez Banda and more recently with the jazz ensemble of "El Greco". Has (Paquito Riviera, Estrellas de Areito, Las D'Aida, Bebo Valdes, Ruben Gonzalez) toured Europe and Latin America with highly prestigious salsa and Latin Studied at the Havana Conservatoire and with maestros Guillermo Barreto and jazz groups. He is considered, along with Ernan Lopez Nussa and Alfredo de los Reyes. Creator of a unique style of improvising on the timbales, Ramoncito Valle, as one of the most important talents of Afro-Cuban which mixes Afro rhythms in 6/8 with the son syncopated rhythms in 2/4. Has Jazz. worked with all the most important Cuban big bands since the '70s and recorded countless albums with artist of the stature of Las D'Aida, Paquito Rivera, Double Bass - Ricardo Munoz Martinez Emiliano Salvador, Bebo Valdes, Las Estrellas de Areito and Peruchin. Since 1997 (Silvio Rodriguez, Sinfonica Nacional, Meteoro) has worked with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the Ruben Gonzalez group and Buena Studied at the Havana Conservatoire and with maestros "Cachaito" Vista Social Club. Official endorser of MEINL Percussion instruments. Lopez and Carlos del Puerto. Belonged to the new wave jazz rock movement of the '80s. Has worked as bassist with Silvio Rodriguez, La Trumpet 1 - Daniel De Jesus Ramos Alayo Banda Meteoro and the National Symphony Orchestra. Presently in the (Sierra Maestra etc.) Cuban Radio and TV Orchestra while teaching at the Institute Superior Studied at the Escuela Nacional de Arte and with maestros Felix Chapottin and de Arte and as assistant professor at the Department of Music of the Lazaro Herrera. Belongs to the select group of all-time great improvisers of son in Cuba. Has worked with the most important son bands of Cuba across the University of Guayaquil, Ecuador, during the winter. Considered one of generations, from Septeto Nacional de Ignacio Pineiro to Sierra Maestra, via the great bass players in Cuba. Chapottin, Rumbavana, El Conjunto Caney and Son 14. Has toured all the continents of the world, and recorded over 70 records with different bands. Bongos - Carlos Gonzalez Cardenas Presently juggles his work as teacher at the Institute Superior de Arte with his (Sierra Maestra, BVSC) role as first trumpet of the National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba. Since 1997 has Studied at the Havana Conservatoire and with maestros Tata Giiines, led the brass section of the Afro-Cuban All Stars. Guillermo Barreto and Pello El Afrokan. Began career as kit drummer with alternative rock bands in the '70s, beside Ricardo Eddy Martinez and Trumpet 2 - Yaure Muniz Rumayor other excellent musicians. At the end of the '70s became founder mem- recent change in line up - no information available at this time ber of Sierra Maestra with whom he toured the world for 17 years and recorded 14 albums. Since 1996 a member of The Afro-Cuban All Stars Trumpet 3 - Yanko Pisaco Pichardo (led by his brother). The main percussionist contracted to the Buena Vista (Orquesta Sinfonica del Radio y TV) Social Club. A specialist in Afro-Cuban rhythms. Teaches at the Institute In spite of his tender age (23) he is one of the most promising of Cuban trumpets. Superior de Arte. Studied at the Havana Conservatoire and with the maestro Jesus Alemany. He is what they call a high-Note trumpeter, easily capable of playing above high C- sharp without losing sound quality. Has recorded with Ibrahim Ferrer, the TV and Radio Symphony Orchestra and on the second Afro-Cuban All Stars CD. With Melodias del Cuarenta, La Ideal, Sensacion, and especially Ritmo Oriental, the The Afro-Cuban All Stars since 1998 and has also had much touring success in most famous charanga band of the (E60s and '70s, with whom he toured the , USA and Europe. world and made endless recordings. Polo is rated today, with Joaquin Oliveros, as the best 5-key flautist in Cuba. His style is pure charanga from the 1950s. Trombone 1- Alberto Muiioz Martinez (Orquesta Reve, Septeto Nacional, Chapottin) Singer - Felix Valoy Valdes Santiez One of the outstanding trombonists of recent generations of Cuban musicians. (Son 14, Adalberto y su son, Chapottin etc) Graduate of the Tchaikovsky Conservatoire of Moscow. Worked and studied for Arguably the most important sonero of the entire generation of the 1970s. Has many years with the maestro Elio Reve. Has recorded with artists of the caliber of recorded over 25 albums with different bandleaders and projects. For many years Chucho Valdes, Ry Cooder, Ivan Linz and many others. For the last 5 years has sang with Chapottin, Elio Reve, Raul Planas and Adalberto Alvarez. Presently worked as recording studio session player with most of the Cuban orquestas and leads his own group. Since 1997 a member of The Afro-Cuban All Stars. A soloists, which he alternates with his work as soloist and first trombone with the renowned improviser, his style assimilates the influences of classic soneros like Afro-Cuban All Stars since 1997. Miguelito Cuni and Roberto Faz, but all expressed in a much more modern manner. Trombone 2 - Antonio Leal Rodriguez (Paquito D'Rivera, Chucho Valdes,Tropicana) Singer - Manuel "" Licea Lamot One of the outstanding trombonists of all generations of Cuban musicians. (Julio Cuevas, , BVSC) Graduate of the Conservatoire of Warsaw. Worked and studied for many years Puntillita, Raul Planas and Laito Sureda form the trio from the legendary Sonora with the maestros Paquito D'Rivera, Adolfo Guzman, Demetrio Mufiiz, etc. Has Matancera who are still active and out fighting in spite of their years. Began recorded with artists of the caliber of Chucho Valdes, Ry Cooder, Ibrahim Ferrer, actually as drummer with the Orquesta Hermanos Licea in Camaguey. From 1940 Caetano Veloso and many others. For the last 5 years has worked as recording he was in Havana working with the top big bands of the day including Conjunto studio session player with most of the Cuban orchestras and soloists, which he Casino, Orquesta Julio Cuevas, La Charanga Melodias del 40 and Sonora alternates with his work as soloist and first trombone of La Orquesta del Cabaret Matancera. In the '60s formed his own band who recorded countless hits both in Parisien, and the Tropicana Orchestra. Cuba and around Latin America. In the last 2 years he has been working with The Afro-Cuban All Stars, Buena Vista Social Club and Ruben Gonzalez. Despite Saxes/flute - Raul Eleuterio Gutierrez Villanueva being over 70 years old, his voice remains young. (Paquito D'Rivera, Irazu etc) Born in Chile, grew up in Cuba and Germany, where he lived for many years in Singer - Regla Teresa Garcia Caturla Munich. Composer, orchestrator and conductor, he has always led and main- (Las D'Aida, Estrellas de Areito) tained his own group. Has recorded with Lou Donaldson, Dizzy Gillespie, Paquito Daughter of the great Cuban symphonic composer Alejandro Garcia Caturla, she D'Rivera, Bebo Valdes, and other prestigious names. Presently directs his own studied first with her father and then with the great teacher of lyric song Mariana jazz band in Santiago de Chile, while also working as Professor of music at the de Gonish. Learnt the secrets of harmony and popular song from the maestra university. As well as all the saxes he plays flute and clarinet. A specialist in Aida Diestro. However her style is so typically Cuban that it led her to pursue a Afro-Cuban j azz. career in popular music. From the mid-70s she replaced in the famous Las D'Aida female quartet from which she only just retired to join The Flute - Policarpo "Polo" Tamayo Garriga Afro-Cuban All Stars. Has recorded with many of the finest Cuban big bands. (Ritmo Oriental etc) She was the (Egolden voice on the famous five "Las Estrellas de Areito" CDs One of the great flautists of the 1950s along with Richard Egiies and Pancho El from the late '70s (recently re-released). A show-woman with tremendous stage Bravo. Studied in the Havana Municipal Conservatoire during the late 1940s. presence. Also an outstanding trombonist in popular and classical music. Worked with many first-rate Cuban big bands from the end of the (E50s onwards, including Singer (coros) - Luis Frank Arias Mosquera (Orq. Reve, Dan Den, ) Singer and composer, studied at the Conservatoire. A frequent singer at Casa de la . Considered one of the outstanding singers of the traditional popular music, along with Eliades Ochoa and . Has recorded and worked with Orquesta Reve, Dan Den, Compay Segundo (as the prima voice for a couple of years), etc. and in the last year with his own band based in Hamburg, Germany. Specialist of the cuban eastern son montuno.

Singer, Tres and band leader-Juan De Marcos Gonzalez Cardenas (Sierra Maestra, BVSC) Studied classical guitar under Vicente Gonzalez "Guyun" and Leopoldina Nunez. Later studied tres with Hilario Ariza, Isaac Oviedo and Nino Rivera. In 1976 founded the son group Sierra Maestra, the first young band playing classic son which led to its huge revival in Cuba. He was the creator and chief impulse behind the triple project comprising the Buena Vista Social Club, The Afro-Cuban All Stars and Ruben Gonzalez CDs, and who had the original idea to revive the careers of so many of these older stars of Cuban music. Was musical director and arranger of most of the Buena Vista Social Club CD, was and is the creator, leader and arranger of The Afro-Cuban All Stars, and director and orchestrater (and resuscitator!) for Ruben Gonzalez. Has won four prizes for production in Cuba, and his album "A Todo Cuba Le Gusta", the first Afro-Cuban All Stars CD, was nominated for a Grammy 1998. A consultant to all the important national and international events taking place in Cuba. In the last 2 years has been musical director of all World Circuit Records in Cuba, including the second Afro-Cuban All Stars CD, the second Ruben Gonzalez CD and the new one from Ibrahim Ferrer.