Event

ALEX CUBA

Singer-songwriter Alex*Cuba hails from Artemisa, Cuba (1 hour west of Havana) and resides in Smithers, B.C. (14 hours north of Vancouver). Musically, he lives everywhere in between. His trademark sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and rock chords subtly subvert commonly held notions of what Cuban music is. Alex is on the vanguard, crafting a cross-cultural sound that mirrors his geographical journey. Not tied to tradition, this Cuban-Canadian prefers his vintage Gibson over el sencerro (cowbell) anytime.

From his earliest years in Artemisa, he was immersed in music. Alex's first stage appearance on national TV was at the tender age of four, playing claves (a percussion instrument) in a group directed by his music instructor father. Alex went on to study guitar, tres, percussion and bass, practicing eight hours a day during his teens.

After a stint with his twin brother Adonis to record Morumba Cubana, as The Puentes Brothers, Alex departed from Cuban music norms to follow his own path. His debut CD with the Alex Cuba Band, âHumo De Tabacoâ, earned him a Juno award for World Music Album in 2006, with the single âLo Mismo Que Yoâ, featuring Ron Sexsmith charting in the Top 20 at BBC Radio 2. For âHumoâ, Alex took UK producer Martin Terefe to Cuba to record the albumâs funk infused horns and percussion, a sound that got under Terefeâs skin. By extension, that âAlex*Cuba soundâ is now evident on Terefeâs productions for Craig David, Ron Sexsmith and Jason Mraz.