Buena Vista Social Club presents Elides Ochoa Live

Long before the popularity of Latin Music hit the pop charts, the unmistakable talent and passion of the music was on the streets and in the heart of Cuba. The Buena Vista Social Club was a members’ club in the downtown area where dances and musical activities were held.

This became a popular location for musicians to meet and play during the 1940s. In the 1990s, nearly 50 years after the club was closed, a recording by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and American guitarist Ry Cooder, with traditional Cuban musicians, some veteran performers from the club during the height of its popularity, was made.

The recording, named Buena Vista Social Club after the Havana institution became an international success, and the ensemble was encouraged to perform with a full line-up of musicians. The original line up of the Buena Vista Social Club made only three concert appearances, two at Amsterdam's Carré Theatre and the final legendary show at New York's 'Carnegie Hall'.

The latter was filmed by German film maker Wim Wenders as the climax of his successful documentary of interviews with the musicians in the streets of Havana also named "Buena Vista Social Club", and the concert recording were released 10 years later as Buena Vista Social Club 'At Carnegie Hall'. The film on release made critical acclaim, receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature Film.

The success of both the album and film sparked a revival of international interest in traditional Cuban music and Latin American Music in general. Some of the Cuban performers later released well-received solo albums and recorded collaborations with international stars from different musical genres. The "Buena Vista Social Club" name became an umbrella term to describe these performances and releases, and has been likened to a brand label that encapsulates Cuba's "musical golden age" between the 1930s and 1950s.

The Buena Vista Social ClubHere’s a chance to see musical history live on stage as the Buena Vista Social Club presents Eliades Ochoa with special guest, Laura Fernandez. The cultural phenomenon, Eliades Ochoa, is a living testament to the universal popularity of Cuban “son” music. Although a younger member of the Buena Vista Social Club, he is backed by a nearly half century long music career and has become something of an elder statesman. Eliades Ochoa picked up his first instrument at the age of six and by his early teens was the leader of the legendary group Cuarteto Patria. His trademark cowboy hat and penchant for wearing black has dubbed him as 'Cuba's Johnny Cash'. Eliades Ochoa is considered one of the most important Cuban 'soneros' of all time and guardian of traditional Cuban music.

Recruited into Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa immediately became internationally recognizable for his recordings and films of his performance of the traditional Cuban song "Chan Chan" with the late Compay Segundo. Having performed live for over five million fans, Elides Ochoa and his band have released several recordings, keeping the sounds of traditional Cuban music alive for generations of new fans worldwide. Eliades Ochoa’s latest album, AfroCubism was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best World Music Album in 2012. . Ochoa is one of the key members and contributors of the Buena Vista Social Club. With roots in “guajira” (Cuban country) fans won’t be able to sit still when his eight piece band creates an infectious sound of country, salsa and traditional rock. The authentic Afro-Cuban beats will have the audience movin’ and groovin’ all night long.

The tour kicks off in Montreal on Thursday, November 1st, 2012 at L’Astral Music Hall. The following day Friday, November 2nd, 2012 he will be performing at Ottawa’s Museum of Civilization Theatre. Closing the Canadian tour dates will be a performance in Toronto at the Danforth Music Hall on Saturday, November 3rd, 2012.

The fall performances at the Museum of Civilization Theatre, L’Astral Music Hall and the Danforth Music Hall will allow Eliades Ochoa’s fans a rare, intimate and interactive experience with the iconic performer and his legendary band. Opening the show is special guest, Laura Fernandez . Fernandez has been actively touring from 2011 to 2012 and is the  producer/host of JazzFM91’s Café Latino, Laura Fernandez is an avid singer, song writer, pianist and music producer. Her recent album, Un Solo Beso, fuses pop-folk songwriting with the expansive sounds of Latin and jazz styles. She enjoys working with artists who also speak Spanish as their music can grow organically with no genre barriers. Laura Fernandez will be performing with acclaimed pianist Don Naduriak. Don Naduriak is a central figure in the Jazz & Latin community in Canada.

Eliades Ochoa with Laura Fernandez will be shaking up the stage don’t miss out.

Eliades Ochoa Official Touring Band:
Eliades OCHOA: Voice and Guitar Alain Antonio DRAGONIT COTORRUELO: Trumpet Osnel ODIT BAVASTRO: Guitar Lennis LARA CASTELLANOS: Trumpet Marcos Antonio FERNÁNDEZ LÓPEZ: Piano Jorge MATURELL ROMERO: Congas Jose Angel MARTINEZ NIEVES: Bass Eglis OCHOA: Maracas

All tickets on sale Monday June 4th, 2012
All Tickets available online at Tickemaster.ca or by phone; 1 855 985 5000
Montreal – All Tickets $35 (HST included + service charges)
Gatineau – All Tickets $45 (HST included + service charges)
Toronto – Floors Seats $40 / Balcony Seats $35 (HST included + service charges)

Tour Dates:
Thursday November 1st, 2012 – L’Astral Music Hall, Montreal QC
Friday November 2nd, 2012 – Canadian Museum of Civilization Theatre, Gatineau QC
Saturday November 3rd, 2012 – Danforth Music Hall, Toronto ON

Official Partner & Sponsor Buena Vista Social Club is a registered trademark of World Circuit Limited.
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