The real Buena Vista Social Club (BVSC) consistently acts in the Havana Café at the Melia Cohiba Hotel of the capital, said Ephraim Sabas, recognized artistic director of the Havana facility to a group of journalists.
Sabas said that the legendary band has its home at the hotel facility and offer visitors their unique musical seal as does the outstanding percussionist Amadito Valdes, who was part of the project at its inception.
Questioned by OnCuba on the proliferation of groups and soloists with the name of BVSC working in several areas of Havana, the project leader, Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos replied that “it is necessary that the media and the authorities call for a happy end to all false Buena Vista. Because there is only one BSVC and the real one is here. I do not know how they allow that. ”
The statement by “Aguaje” Ramos uncovered a claim of the musicians he leads and has been generated from the presentations in the capital areas of groups that cultivate traditional Cuban music, which claim to be part of BVSC.
“I’m tired of talking and wondering why that happens, because here in Cuba there is only one Aragon and Van Van,” Ramos said.
To Ephraim Sabás the phenomenon of Buena Vista is a seal and there is no visitor to Cuba who does not want to enjoy them. “That’s why we want to tell you that the real orchestra, which truly exists, is performing systematically at the Habana Café; also acts here with his group Amadito Valdes, founder of the project; and some members of BVSC, with their musicians, is play in our space. ”
Leaving aside the debate, members of the Buena Vista wanted to recall the value of that first album, titled precisely Buena Vista Social Club and it was billed by the World Circuit label. Conceived in Cuba in Egrem –studios located in San Miguel street, Havana,, the album was released in 1996 and was the result of the creative union of Juan de Marcos González, Ry Cooder, Nick Gold and a group of practitioners of our traditional music.
The success of the phonogram was followed by documentary by German Wim Wenders. Then the talent of the actors of the project, a wide and publicized international campaign by the World Circuit and countless international tours developed to date, were responsible for enshrining it in the world as one of the finest examples of traditional Cuban music.
In early 2014, the orchestra announced at the National Hotel in Havana that they would say goodbye to the world stage with the Goodbye Tour, on which they are engaged now and will continue in the coming months through European and Latin American cities. The news of the separation shook their followers. However, “Aguaje” Ramos said that now the journey can be extended.
“That tour we are doing it around the world, but I think it starts around here (referring to the presentation of the project at the Melia Cohiba). I think the separation will be within three or four years. We create a place here for the Cuban public and people that come to the Melia Cohiba will know our traditional music and the orchestra. ”
A national tour is also in the immediate plans of BVSC. “Aguaje” expressed the desire of artists to tour the island. “We are eager to do it and have already spoken with the Ministry (of Culture) and we are waiting for them. It does not depend on us, “he said.
