Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club ®

Buena Vista Social Club released its only studio album, produced by Ry Cooder, in 1997 and achieved instant success. The album, featuring a specially assembled group of veteran Cuban musicians, was further propelled by Wim Wenders’ acclaimed film and later by a series of international tours and albums by many of the featured musicians.  Buena Vista Social Club became a phenomenon.

Following a series of hugely successful performances in recent years, the twelve-piece Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club® – which features a number of Buena Vista Social Club alumni – make their eagerly awaited return to the world’s stages with a special guest, Omara Portuondo.

The Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club’s live performances have been praised by the UK press for “taking the atmosphere up to a breathless level” (The Independent), leaving audiences “awestruck” (Financial Times).  At the forefront of the group are musicians who will be recognized from the Buena Vista Social Club film: laúd virtuoso Barbarito Torres, trumpet player Guajiro Mirabal and trombonist and the Orquesta’s Musical Director Jesus ‘Aguaje’ Ramos.  Such talents as the vocalists Carlos Calunga and Idania Valdés, virtuoso pianist Rolando Luna and on trumpet, Guajirito Mirabal, grandson of Guajiro Mirabal, represent the younger generation of Cuban musicians.

Jesus ‘Aguaje’ Ramos’ trombone has been an integral part of World Circuit’s Cuban recordings for more than a decade and both his playing and bandleading skills have also made him a key member for Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González and Omara Portuondos’ tours. As musical director for Omara Portuondo and Rubén González he gained attention on the international stage: “he understands how to truly make the trombone sing” (Boston Globe).

Barbarito Torres was musical director for Celina Gonzalez’s Grupo Campoalegre and worked with many of the biggest names in Cuban music as well as international stars such as Oscar de León.  He has also played with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and his solo album ‘Havana Café’ featured guest appearances by Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo.

Guajiro Mirabal’s distinctive trumpet sound and the personality embodied in his playing has earned him the monicker “The Trumpet of Cuba.” His blistering tribute to the son conjuntos of the great Arsenio Rodríguez, ‘Buena Vista Social Club Presents Manuel Guajiro Mirabal’ was nominated for a GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY and its release was met with widespread praise: “Mirabal’s stunning performances recapture the bonhomie and verve that endeared the son montuno style to all within earshot”  (The Wire).

Also touring with the Orquesta this year a member of the original Buena Vista Social Club – Omara Portuondo. The vocalist Omara Portuondo last solo album Gracias (World Village / Montuno) won a Latin Grammy and scored a Grammy nomination.  Portuondo has been singing and performing since she was a teenager in Cuba in the 1940s and as The New York Times review of Gracias noted, the years have done nothing to mitigate her vocal prowess: “Her voice … is rich, shapely, dynamic and still sultry.”

The past few years have been tremendously successful for the orchestra. Playing to sell-outs shows in renowned venues such as the Paris Olympia, London’s Royal Albert Hall, Barcelona’s Liceu, Konzerthaus in Vienna, Luna Park in Buenos Aires as well as many prestigious festivals around the globe.

Each of these artists has his or her own take on a wide range of Cuban music styles and has put an individual stamp on son montunos, danzón, cha cha cha, boleros, and Cuban jazz.  Having honed their skills over many years their passion for the music remains undimmed and this remarkable group of musical giants performs with an exuberance that is as vital as ever.

Buena Vista Social Club ® is a registered trademark of World Circuit Ltd.

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