Havana Cuba All Stars: Bringing old school beats to Anderson Center
On Thursday, October 6th, the high-energy, can’t-sit-still-gotta’-dance beat of Cuban music explodes on the stage of the Anderson Center with the arrival of The Havana Cuba All-Stars. The 12-piece band, with its hip-swaying rhythm and rich array of percussion, strings, and brass, is Big-Band Cuban style. Traveling for the first time in the US, their appropriately named Asere Friendship Tour is one benefit of the more normalized relations and eased travel restrictions between the US and Cuba since 2015.
Cuban music stems from the rich and varied history of its people: from the earliest native inhabitants, to the long-distant addition of incomers from Spain and Africa, to the international influences of later years. Each group brought its own music, and each new influence added layers to the multifaceted sound and diversity of what is now Cuban music. For this tour, many of Cuba’s greatest musicians have been brought together to share the Cuban sound with audiences throughout the US and Canada. Their music is a mix of the traditional, such as Cuban Son and Guaguanco, and the modern, such as the Chachacha. Their instruments, too, represent that mix, from the classic tres (the Cuban guitar, so named for its original three-string design), to the modern steel guitar.
The 12-piece All-Stars band consists of: Michel Padron, musical director and first trumpet; Vicente Arencibia on congas and lead vocals; Adolfo Florian on tres, steel guitar, and vocals; Eney Aranda on congas, bongos, and vocals; Yoan Sanchez, timbal, drums, and bongos; Eikel Venegas playing trombone and second trumpet; Ricardo Fernández on lead vocals and percussion; Jesus Cutiño on bass and lead vocals; Yuniel Rascón, Spanish guitar and vocals; Daniel Carnago on tres, bass, and vocals; Raúl Bermúdez playing first violin; and Jorge L. Quevedo on second violin.
Carousel was fortunate enough recently to interview Vicente Arencibia, via translator:
Can you tell me a bit about your background in music and your involvement with All-Stars?
I have been performing since I was a child in my neighborhood in Havana, a black community where music and dancing is everywhere. I play percussion and sing. I love the music of my country and am happy to share it with others, I’ve been lucky enough to perform all over the world and work with other musicians too, from different countries - from Totó la Momposina (Colombia) to Billy Cobham (USA).
How were the All-Stars formed, and how did that come about?
The band Asere was formed 20 years ago in Havana. We wanted to create a group that performed traditional Cuban music, the music of our grandfathers, and give it our own twist - we have great respect for the roots and try to do something new and fresh also. We were young and at that time this kind of music wasn’t fashionable with people from our generation. The All-Stars is Asere with more of the best Cuban Musicians.
Who chose the band members for the All-Stars, and who is in charge of choosing the music played on the tour?
Myself, Michel Padron (our musical director), and our manager, John Hollis.
Who was involved in the original songwriting and composition?
Several of us compose songs, and we also play material by other writers that we like, both young and old. We also play some songs that are very old - one song in the repertoire is over a hundred years old. So, there is a mixture of styles and rhythms.
The name of the tour is The Havana Cuba All-Stars Asere Friendship Tour, is that correct?
Columbia Artist Management, our producer here in the U.S., gave the show the name Havana Cuba All Stars. In original band [the] name is Asere, which means friend in an Afro-Cuban dialect.
Is this is the first international tour of the All-Stars?
We [the band Asere] have toured all over the world for 20 years now - Europe, Asia, South America, etc. But this is our first tour of the US - we’re happy to be here!
Does the group tour throughout Cuba, or are you centered in one city?
We are based in Havana, though several of us come from different parts of Cuba originally.
Does the Asere Friendship Tour play a part in the opening of relations and tourism between Cuba and the United States?
I hope we can play a positive role in the new friendship between Cuba and the States; our music is to share and enjoy. Music and dancing are for everyone and it is a privilege for us to be able to come here and perform.
When did the Friendship Tour begin, and when will it be completed?
Our first show was on September 8th and the final show will be on December 5th.
Will the group remain performing with this particular lineup of musicians after this tour?
For the most part, yes.
How are you finding audiences in the United States as compared to audiences in Cuba?
It is very difficult to compare because the cultures are different. Here is the U.S. we have felt very warmly welcomed, and the people seem to enjoy our music and culture, and show us by dancing and applauding and making us feel welcome.
Lastly, is there anything else that you would like to our readers to know about the All-Stars and about your music?
We are humble people; music for us comes from the heart, to be played with groove; it’s a soulful thing, to make you feel good, forget about your worries and have fun. Looking forward to coming to Binghamton!
For a taste of what you can expect to hear, check out both Havana Cuba All-Stars, and Asere, on YouTube. And while the opportunity to hear great Cuban music is a wonderful thing, it is not the only Cuban art form to grace BU this month. According to Rosanne Norris, Marketing Director for the Anderson Center, “the whole month of October is focused on Cuba here at Binghamton University. There is a Cuban baseball art exhibit at the museum plus other activities.” Details for these events can be found in the September Carousel Art Briefs, online at carouselrag.com, or at binghamton.edu/art-museum.
The concert begins at 7:30pm, and is sponsored by WICZ FOX 40. Tickets are $45 general public, $40 faculty/staff/seniors/alumni, $22 students/children, or $110 for a family 4-pack. Group discounts are also available. Tickets can be purchased online at andersoncenter.showare.com, by phone (607) 777-2787, by mail or fax (check the website for details), or at the Anderson Center box office. The box office, located in the Anderson Center on the Binghamton University Campus, is open weekdays from noon-5:30pm, and noon through opening curtain on the day of performance. Weekend hours are 5pm through opening curtain for evening performances, and noon through opening curtain for matinee performances. Further information may be found at binghamton.edu/anderson-center, or by calling the box office.
