Afro Cuban All Stars

Place of foundation: Havana, CUBA
Formed by: Juan de Marcos González (ex-Sierra Maestra drummer)

Combining Cuban music styles, like bolero, cha-cha-cha, salsa, son montuno, timba, guajira, danzón, rumba and abakua, Afro Cuban All Stars have had a significant part in growing the popularity of Afro-Cuban music. The pupular group is a multi-generational ensemble with members aging in 13 to 81, including Eliades Ochoa, pianist Ruben Gonzalez and trumpet player Yanko Pisaco. Lead vocalists have included Pio Leyva, Raúl Planas, and Manuel "Puntillita" Licea. "We have to use all the heritage of Cuban music to create a sound of the future."  explained González in an interview. “A toda Cuba le gusta” album brought them international fame in 1997 which was recorded at the Buena Vista Social Club sessions.

 
Discography:
1997            A Toda Cuba Le Gusta
1999            Distinto Diferente
2000            Baila mi Son (Featuring Felix Baloy)
2004            Bajando Gervasio (Featuring Amadito Valdes)
2005            Live in Japan
2005            Step Forward

by Zsuzsa Melkvi
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About the Author: Zsuzsa Melkvi is a salsa dancer and teacher, having competed in Latin-American and Standard dances from 1995-1998. She is also the founder of Baila Cuba (www.bailacuba.hu), a Dance company focused on giving exclusively pure Afro-Cuban workshops in Hungary. Zsuzsa holds a BA degree in Economics from the University of Hertfordshire.