A feast of Cuban music

BY SARAH STEPHEN

In May and June, Cuban music lovers will have an opportunity to see some of Cuba's greatest musicians live in performance, including original members of the Buena Vista Social Club, the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Vieja Trova Santiagera, in a once-only national tour, starting in Perth on May 28.

The Bar at Buena Vista pays homage to the stars of the Buena Vista Social Club via the music of legends like the late Compay Segundo and Ruben Gonzalez. Co-founder of the Buena Vista Social Club, and this year's Grammy nominated percussionist Carlos Gonzales will be accompanied by fellow Grammy nominee Luis Frank on vocals alongside diva Barbara Ferrer Sanchez of Anakoana.

For many of the artists, age is no barrier to celebrating a passion for life through music. Eighty-six-year-old Reynaldo Creagh weaves magic vocals for the Vieja Trova Santiagera, and 78-year-old Maestro Rabalcalba is the legend on the piano from the Afro-Cuban All Stars.

The Bar at Buena Vista will tour Perth, Sydney, Newcastle, Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Darwin and several towns in regional Queensland. Visit <http://www.ataallstarartists.com.au> for details.

From Green Left Weekly, May 19, 2004.

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From GLW issue 582