JOSÉ GUILLERMO PUEBLA BRIZUELA
(born 1953) was endowed with a great musical talent. His grandfather, the famous Carlos Puebla, composed the well-known song „Commandante Che Guevara“.
His brother, Ramon Puebla, is also a gifted composer and songwriter.
Guillermo himself is proficient on plenty instruments since childhood, among others, percussion, guiro, maracas and clave.
Nevertheless, he specialised in singing and records significant successes in his field.
At the Festival of Santiago de Cuba he performed together with the Buena Vista Social Club. During the Festival of Cuba he was on stage with Company Segundo, main actor in the movie Buena Vista Social Club. He is also the winner of the Festival Son Cristal and was awarded with the top price.
Felicita-Ethel Frias-Pernia
was born in 1978 in Cuba. She grew up in an artist family and music became very early a major part of her life. Especially, her father was a talented singer and tres guitar player in Bayamo. In the 90s she met one of the most famous Cuban composers Cándido Fabré, whose songs have been performed by Celia Cruz and Oscar D'León. Fabré was so excited by the incredible talent of the young girl that he supported her professional education.
Felicita-Ethels career took off and she performed on many different festivals like for example the Festival del Changui, the Musica National de Bayamo, the Sindo Garay and many more. Quickly, she became known as “La Morena del Son” and was awarded with 19 prizes over the years. During her career she performed on stages with many unique artists such as Ibrahim Ferrer and Pío Leyva, which led to a loyal friendship that lasted until their death. Her most honourable moment was when Omara Portuondo personally announced her as her official successor representing the Cuban Music in the world.
Alfredo Montero-Mojena
loved listening to his parents’ music from the very beginning. Born in 1949 and infected by a musical-fever in his early age, 6-year-old Alfredo started to play guitar but switched soon to join his mother´s passion for singing. At the age of ten, he already helped numerous Cubans to conquer the hearts of their beloved ones. For a couple of Pesos, the keen young fellow sang the most beautiful love songs under the balcony of a young woman.
During his studies of music he was not only able to develop his talent in singing, but also learned all instruments of Cuban music and plays them all until today. Even before becoming a big shot in music himself, he met all the big numbers of the Cuban scene at an early age. Being 13, he became friends with Ibrahim Ferrer, from then on performing together for many years. Omara Portuondo is also one of Alfredos colleagues and friends, during their performance at the Carneval in Santiago de Cuba the crowd went wild.
THE LIVE BAND
The „Buena Vista Band“ is formed by a variety of highly skilled musicians directed by famous musical director Ramon Puebla. Besides several percussion instruments, like drums, timbales and congas, there are also a lot of wind instruments like trombone and trumpet. Bass, piano and the typical Latin-American tres guitar complete the overall look.
Ramon Puebla, besides his main activity as musical director of the „Pasión de Buena Vista“ – Show, is also a gifted composer and songwriter and counts as a fix component of the Cuban music scene and beyond. His grandfather, the famous Carlos Puebla, composed the well-known song „Commandante Che Guevara“. The live band is accompanied by talented background singers who also prove their unique voices during the show as soloists.
THE DANCE FORMATION
The dance formation „El Grupo de Bailar“ from Manzanillo, Cuba, consists of several first-class dancers who have proven their talent in traditional dance shows in Havanna.
A high degree of discipline and professionalism characterize the group which is only one of the reasons why it was choosen to support the „Pasión de Buena Vista“ show. Under the direction of choreographer Jose Luis Rodriguez-Pena, the dance formation adds Cuban temperament and vitality to the show and inspires the audience.
