Buena Vista Social Club Overview

The Buena Vista Social Club is a band of musicians whose careers span the history of twentieth-century Cuban music, from 90-year-old vocalist Compay Segundo (whose career began in the 1920s), to pianist Ruben Gonzalez, vocalist Ibrahim Ferrar (who came to fame... [more]

The Buena Vista Social Club is a band of musicians whose careers span the history of twentieth-century Cuban music, from 90-year-old vocalist Compay Segundo (whose career began in the 1920s), to pianist Ruben Gonzalez, vocalist Ibrahim Ferrar (who came to fame in the 1950s), and 13-year-old timbalist Julienne Oviedo Sanchez. The music is at once familiar and new, surprising and traditional. Produced by American musician Ry Cooder (who also performs on the album with his son Joachim), the twenty-member group performs traditional son de Cuba dance hall songs in a truly international style, blending the influences of Spanish and West African music with hints of American ragtime jazz. The band is also the subject of a recent documentary by German filmmaker Wim Wenders ('Paris, Texas'). Ry Cooder has spent much of the past 25 years exploring the folk music and musicians of far-flung cultures; we are indebted to him for bringing this nearly lost treasure back to life. [show less]