Cortadito - Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club

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Arts Garage

Cortadito is a traditional folk and acoustic band that focuses on performing one of the earliest styles of Cuban country music known as Son Oriental. Their sound can best be described as a 21st century representation that is reminiscent of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. Through their many interpretations of Cuban Son, this dynamic ensemble brings the listener back to a time when Cuban music ruled the airwaves throughout the world.

PERFORMER BIO:

Named after a favorite caffeinated pick-me-up and voted “Best Latin Act 2019” by Miami New Times, Cortadito plays a mesh of son montuno, guaracha, boleros, nengon and bolero son that will transport you to the time when Trio Matamoros and Ignacio Piñeiro ruled the Cuban music world. This dynamic, Miami-based ensemble has been joined on stage by world-renowned flutist Nestor Torres, opened for legendary Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés, and toured with Eliades Ochoa of the Buena Vista Social Club. This show will be part of the group’s ten-year anniversary celebration.

Jose Elias founded the band alongside Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet from Santiago de Cuba in November of 2011 after a 12-year stint with Conjunto Progreso that garnered him a Grammy nomination for his participation in the album Masters of Cuban Son. The duo was an instant success and were invited to perform at the Fingerlakes Grassroots festival in Trumansberg, NY. They released their first CD titled Abriendo Caminos in 2012, which featured one original composition by each of the artists “Delicias Caribeña” (Elias) and “Te Lo Perdiste” (Delet).

In 2013, Julio Cesar moved to Houston, Texas and was replaced by Humberto Upierre from Guanabacoa, Cuba. The group then expanded into a trio which included percussionist Andres Polanco Rivas from Holguin, Cuba. In 2014, the group reunited with Julio Cesar to record what would be the songs for their next release, which included the participation of double bass player Yorgis Goiricelaya from Matanzas, Cuba. Yorgis is the Musical Director for Albita Rodriguez’s group and also plays bass with Oscar De Leon.

From 2015 to 2017 the group added various musicians to the roster, including the likes Eduardo Saborit on vocals and rhythm guitar from Santiago de Cuba, percussionist Santiago McCook, Wilfredo Fuentes Cespedes who recorded and toured with Eliades Ochoa, and Horacio Rodriguez, who worked with Orquesta Aragon from 2000 to 2016. Most recently, the group has added double bass player Alberto Pantaleon, who has toured with the Buena Vista Social Club and Eliades Ochoa.

BAND MEMBERS:

Jose Elias – Bandleader/ Cuban Tres Guitar and Vocals

Julio Cesar Rodriguez – Lead Singer/ Rhythm Guitar

Santiago McCook – Percussion

Alberto Pantaleon – Baby Bass

Tony Perigo – Trumpet