Fri 5/9 @ 7:30PM
When it comes to Cuban music, vocalist/guitarist Eliades Ochoa is about as big a name as you can find. Many Americans know him from the Buena Vista Social Club, which became internationally famous following their 1997 debut album and a 1999 Wim Wenders film documenting their performances. But his career began long before that.
The now 78-year-old musician, who also plays the distinctively Cuban guitar-like instrument tres and is has been called a Cuban Johnny Cash for his distinctive voice and image, began his career in 1969 with Septeto Típico Oriental. In 1982, he became director, vocalist and guitarist of the Cuarteto Patria, leaning heavily on Cuban folk traditions for its sound. He went on to become a co-founder of the Buena Vista Social Club in the 1990s. Over the past four decades, he’s released dozens of album, on his own, with his ensembles and in collaboration with other artists.
Ochoa will be making his Cleveland Museum of Art debut this week, performing with his sextet. Get tickets here.
clevelandart.org/events/eliades-ochoa