Throwback Tuesdays: Afro Cuban Allstars -- "Amor Verdadero"
Whenever musicologists study the colorful sounds of the Cuban diaspora, it's nearly impossible for them not to mention the modern day contributions of composer Juan de Marcos and his Afro-Cuban All-Stars. The revolving group of musicians first made their mark on American audiences in 1994, at a time when long overdue praise was getting showered upon Cuba's slightly more popular group, the Buena Vista Social Club. That band, which, included Ibrahim Ferrer, Omara Portuondo, and a host of other salsa and son legends, was actually being led by de Marcos, not Ferrer, when traveling producer, Ry Cooder, showed up in Havana to cut a record.
Many of those same legends were apart of the Afro Cuban All-Stars as well. Although they spent close to a decade touring the globe promoting the sweaty Latin dance music that used to entertain rebels like Fidel Castro and Che Guevara, after a national security freeze in 2001, they found it hard to obtain American visas. Their U.S. touring stopped completely in 2003 and it's only now that all of the band members have intentionally gained citizenship in other countries that they can tour again. You'll have to head to Tacoma's Broadway Center for the Performing Arts to see the show tonight at 7:30, but if you dig authentic Cuban sounds (especially of the salsa, son, and guaguanco variety) then it's worth it. After the jump, check out some of the cutest salsa crooning you could ever imagine.
1 comment(s)
Jonathan C says:
I actually just found out that this is the band's FIRST SHOW IN THE US SINCE 2000!
Don't miss out.
Posted On: Tuesday, Feb. 17 2009 @ 2:46PM