ALEX CUBA (MULTI INSTRUMENTALIST, SINGER COMPOSER)

ALEXCUBA is a Cuban-born multi-instrumentalist who now makes his home in Canada. He is kept busy pushing sophisticated Cuban sounds into the mainstream. From his earliest years in Artemisa, a town about 60 km from Havana, he was immersed in music. Alex’s first stage appearance on national TV was at the tender age of four, playing claves (a percussion instrument) in a group directed by his music instructor father. Alex went on to study guitar, tres, percussion and bass, practicing eight hours a day during his teens.

Although AlexCuba won a National Song Writing Competition in Cuba when he was only 18, he did not recognize his singer/songwriter path until he moved to Canada, after years playing bass in traditional Cuban groups as well as jazz and pop alongside Roberto Fonseca and Javier Zalba (Buena Vista Social Club), recording three albums and touring Europe.

Upon moving to Canada, he teamed up with his twin brother Adonis to record Morumba Cubana, as The Puentes Brothers, including seven original compositions of Alex and two co-written with Adonis. In 2001, the album received a nomination for a Juno award - as well as winning a West Coast Music Award and a Canadian Independent Music Award.

But for Alex something didn’t quite fit, and departing from Cuban music norms to follow his own path appears to be paying off - with his debut CD with the Alex Cuba Band, Humo De Tabaco, earning him a Juno award for World Music Album in 2006, and the single Lo Mismo Que Yo, featuring Ron Sexsmith being playlisted on BBC Radio 2.

AlexCuba has performed for festivals in the US and Canada, sharing the stage with Seu George and Jose Gonzalez at Central Park Summer Stage in New York to Feist at the Regina Folk Festival. He has opened for The Blind Boys of Alabama, Cesaria Evora and Ron Sexsmith.

Arriving at a place where he knows himself both musically and spiritually, Alex has returned to the studio, this time with producer Joby Baker of Victoria, recording his second album, Agua Del Pozo, released February, 2007 in Canada. New for Alexis is the electric guitar a vintage Gibson that brings a trademark sound equal to his magnetic appearance.

The album showcases AlexCuba as a singer/songwriter who is continuing along a path he first struck out on bridging his Cuban roots so evident in his song writing with his musicianship reflecting the jazz he studied with elements of funk and early rock.

ALEX CUBA - AGUA DEL POZO (2007)

Agua Del Pozo, the sophomore album by AlexCuba, the most exciting and innovative music to represent Cuba in decades. The album showcases AlexCuba as a singer/songwriter who is continuing along a path he first struck out on bridging his Cuban roots so evident in his song writing with his musicianship reflecting the jazz he studied with elements of funk and early rock.

Alexis Puentes (Vocals, Guitar, Tres, bass, bata drums and shaker )

Joby Baker ( Drums, wurlitzer and backing vocals on "Si Pero No" )

Emilio Del Monte jr (Congas, bongos, bata drums and vocals)

Emilio Del Monte (Timbales, maracas, shaker, bata drums and vocals )

Anne Schaefer ( Backing vocals on "Mariposa" )

Valentin Puentes (Backing vocals on "Y Que Bongo")

Special guest: Luis Simon Varela Hernandez "Quiminon" (Bongos on "Y Que Bongo")

Horns arranged by Joaquin Betancourt

Robin Felix Martinez ( Trumpet and Flugelhorn)

Carlos Alvarez (Trombone)

Regis Molina (Tenor saxophone)

Magela Herrera Portuondo (Flute)

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