Still with the sand from Ancon beach in my ears and the breeze from Havana's so-called 'winter' hugging my sun-kissed skin, I sit at my computer to relate to you my dear fellow bloggers and readers the tales of my sojourn in the largest island in the Caribbean. And of course what better place to begin with than with my latest musical 'discovery'?
Harold Lopez-Nussa is a Cuban pianist who comes from a musical family. His uncle is the renowned musician Ernán Lopez-Nussa whom I first saw in concert many years ago when I was still living in Havana. His mother is a piano teacher and both his father and brother are famous percussionists. No wonder his second album 'Canciones' (Songs) has been playing on a loop on my CD player since I arrived. With material from Jobim, Matamoros, Pablo Milanés and Santiago Feliú this is a record that lifts the listener up and carries him or her around in a maze of wonderful arpeggios and notes. His take on Fito Paez' '11 y 6' is excellent and innovative and the album's coda, Cervantes' 'Los Muñecos' shows off the musician's playing skills to the max. The clip I selected tonight is not included in the record but will give you, my dear bloggy-friends, a good idea of what to expect should you chance upon the album.
This is the first of a few posts related to my stay in Cuba. Expect photos (amateurishly taken, so, please, bear with me) and features on Cuba's current social, cultural, economic and political climate. Many thanks. Enjoy.
Copyright 2009