• Submitted by: manso
• Arts and Culture
• 01 / 25 / 2011

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2011.01.24 - 12:34:01. PINAR DEL RIO, CUBA.- Cuban diva Omara Portuondo and the Buena Vista Social Club —a project that in 1996 brought together veteran artists to become one of the most important Cuban musical phenomena of the past 50 years— offered a memorable concert on Sunday at the Milanes Theater of the westernmost province of Pinar del Rio.

Omara and Buena Vista performed anthological songs such as “20 años” by Maria Teresa Vera, “Nosotros” by Pedro Junco and “Amigas,” written by Alberto Vera for Omara, Elena Burke and Moraima Secada when they sang in the Las D’Aidas quartet, founded in the 1950s.

Speaking to reporters, Buena Vista Social Club’s director and trombonist Jesus (Aguaje) Ramos —born in Pinar del Rio—said the group works with genuine Cuban musical rhythms as conceived by the creators of cha cha cha and son.

He added that the performance in Pinar del Rio was an old wish of the members of the group in gratitude and as a tribute to people of this province such as Miguelito Cuni and Polo Montañez, who helped them in their careers.

As to the near future, he pointed out that they will soon be performing in Colombia and, later, in the Dominican Republic and the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, Omara said she was very happy to perform at the Milanes Theater for the second time.

One of the highlights of the night was when the recently retired baseball star Pedro Luis Lazo —one of the best Cuban pitchers ever and who holds the record of wins in national baseball championships— gave Omara a bunch of flowers and local renowned artists presented her and Jesus (Aguaje) Ramos with paintings.(ACN)

 
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