Sfor Perfoftmiho ARTS Governors State University Presents

SfOR PERfOftMIHO ARTS Governors State University presents

Cafe 28 is a proud supporter of The Afro Cuban All Stars

A<^<^A t&- €.1.<-yt-*Z-S. • HoneyJalapeno Pork Chops • Almond Crusted Halibut Classic Ropa Vieja • Mojitos • Fresh Lime-Squeezed Margaritas

Serving Brunch, Lunch and Dinner (nightly©5:30) Friday, March 20,2009 WIW7. 9"-591.5 FM Mlflil Jk

1800-1806 W. Irving Park Rd. Chicago, IL 60613 DREAMHAVAN y&JU? Chicago ' Pt-iklJst'Rrublic Kadi0 Uf -~££<*<*"* 773 528-2883 www.cafe28.org The Center tor Performing Arts'08-09 Season sponsored in part by agrant from The Illinois Arts Council, Agency ofthe State otIllinois. evertwo Buena Vista Social Club concerts in Amsterdam and New York's Carnegie Hall. Despite the new found worldwide successof Cuban music, it istheappreciation of the music within Cuba itself that Gonzalez finds most satisfying. In his own words, "When you live in an isolated country you always think things are better elsewhere. Because of that, the influence of American music has been very strong. People were trying to play American music before they learnt Cuban music. We have to use what isgood from around the world, but first we have to be conscious of the importance of our own music. Afew years ago young Cuban musicians didn't care about real Cuban music. Now there are hundreds of bands playing traditional music. Of course, music will change, there will benew dances and styles. Juande Marcos Gonzalez isoneof themost important figures in Cuban music today. But we are going to keep the roots. Iam very confident about that." His mission istoshow theworld thewealth, diversity, andvitality ofCuban music. His work with Gonzalez moved centre stagewith his new edition Afro-Cuban All Starsandtheir the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the BuenaVista Social Club, Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer, Sierra ambitious new, forward-looking album - Distinto, diferente. "We have to use all theheritage Maestra andothershas beenan extraordinary contribution to elevate Cuban music worldwide. of Cuban music tocreate a sound of thefuture," saysGonzalez. "It's important to have that Gonzalez wasborn in Havana in 1954 andgrew upsurrounded by music (his father continuity, and tofight for theidentity of Cuban music." Whilst retaining the stars of thedebut was a singer and played with Arsenio Rodriguez amongst others). At university, he studied album, the follow-up record brought in some additional legendary figures of Cuban music hydraulic engineering and Russian before working as a consultant at theAgronomic Science including Omara Portuondo, Una Borges, PoloTamayo, Jesus Aguaje Ramos, and Amadito Institute, gaining his doctorate in 1989. While at university heco-founded thegroup SierraMaestra Valdes. Some prominent names from thecurrent generation ofCuban music, such as Orlando in 1978. Styled as a traditional Cuban septeto group (tres, trumpet, bass, percussion andvocals), Maracas Valle, David Alfaro, and Yaure Muhiz, also showcased theirtalentson this album. the dynamic young band'saim wasto bring aboutan appreciation ofCuban song bythe youth The result is again multi-generational, but with a sound much closer to the vanguard of of the island. The band achieved great success, recording fourteen albums in Cuba, touring Cuban dance music, and lyrics thatsometimes have even greater social relevance now. Africa and Europe, and receiving various awards. Gonzalez isnota manto standstill, and although hecontinues hisassociation with In 1994, Gonzalez began his association with the London based record label World World Circuit, he formed his own production company/record label (DM Ahora) to deal with Circuit, when the band recorded thealbum jDundunbanza! (WCD041). Forthisrecording, World the wealth of talent in Cuba. Inaddition, Juan de Marcos has also maintained the Afro-Cuban Circuit's Nick Gold encouraged them to expand their line-up to include piano, congas and a All Starsas an active touring band,performing toecstatic audiencesaround theglobe. 2004 trumpet section, in tribute tothe'40sand'50s style ofArsenio Rodriguez. Having found success saw the release of a live CD/DVD from the group, and the accompanying tour included a and a common ground, Gonzalez and Gold looked to developthisunderstanding further with a series ofconcerts with World Circuits Senegalese superstars "Orchestra Baobab". The long big band recording in Havana, featuring neglected stars of thegolden age of Cuban music. awaited third studio album from the group - Step Forward - was released in 2005 on DM Gonzalez had long harboured a dream toputtogether a bandcombining theoldmasters Ahora. Whatever direction theAfro-Cuban All Starsgo in next remains to be seen, but with and the new generation of Cuban musicians. "I wanted to mix the generations so there is the Gonzalezat the helm, one can be sure they are insafe hands! experience oftheolderguysandtheenergy of theyounger players," says Gonzalez. Hewent in search of his heroes andfound many of them retired from music, forgotten figures delighted that someone was showing faith in them. He recruited thesingers Manuel Puntillita Licea, Pfo Leyva and Raul Planas, all intheir seventies. Despite thedoubts ofothers inhisability to still reachthe heights, heapproached thelegendary pianist Ruben Gonzalez. Ruben did not own a piano, so Gonzalez found him a placeto practice and encouraged him to rehearse with hischosenbass player, Orlando Cachaito Lopez. Gonzalez continued to assemble his dream band and the AFRO-CUBAN ALLSTARS were bom. Gonzalez and Gold planned to record two albums in Havana's EGREM studios in 1997: the debut from the All Stars, and a collaboration between West African and Eastern Cuban musicians (for which Gold had invited Ry Cooder as producer.) Due to passport complications, theAfrican musicians were unable to travel tothe recording, however, thetwo week recording trip yielded anextraordinary trio of albums: The debut albums from the AFRO- CUBAN ALL STARS (A Toda Cuba le Gusta) and RUBEN GONZALEZ (Introducing) and the BUENA VISTA SOCIALCLUB. Following these albums release, Gonzalez led the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Ruben Gonzalez on their debut European and U.S. tours and directed the only SfOR PERfOftMIHO ARTS Governors State University presents

Cafe 28 is a proud supporter of The Afro Cuban All Stars

A<^<^A t&- €.1.<-yt-*Z-S. • HoneyJalapeno Pork Chops • Almond Crusted Halibut Classic Ropa Vieja • Mojitos • Fresh Lime-Squeezed Margaritas