Interviews Archives - Page 128 of 149

Cuba Singer Nakao Hakely Chavez

Hakely Nakao Chavez, the young leader of the vocal group “Zamba,” shares her fascinating experiences with Havana Times as she explains how “music in Cuba is enjoying great health.”

The Cuban Rap Agency Controversy (Sekou’s Version)

In late 2011, a group of Agency-member rappers wrote to the Minister of Culture requesting the removal of the organization’s director, Magia Lopez, who herself is also a member of rap duo “Obsesion.” Sekou, the leader of Anonimo Consejo, was among those who signed the petition.

Directing a Cuban Children’s Choir

Mailen Avila is the director of the “Solfa” children’s choir of the Schola Cantorum Coralina. As she commented, “This year we’re again on a CD that has been nominated for a Latin Granmy. The album is “Reir y Cantar,” together with the legendary songstress Omara Portuondo.”

Santiago de Cuba’s ‘Influencia’ Jazz Band

“Influencia” is a group of young jazz musicians from Santiago de Cuba that in November 2011 participated for the first time in the International Competition of Young Jazz Artists – “Jojazz.”

Miriela Moreno, Singer for Cuba’s ‘Aceituna sin Hueso’

“Aceituna sin Hueso is a band of experimental ethnic music, as it’s usually defined,” said lead singer Miriela Moreno in an interview with HT. ” “My home province of Villa Clara embraces me and is an inspiration, a lantern and a place that gives me a sense of permanency.”

Cuba: Miriam Celaya, A Dissident By Nature

Most Cubans don’t have Internet access. Many don’t know what the “network of networks” is. For them, Miriam Celaya is just a name. Even those people who have Internet access at their jobs aren’t familiar with her blog. Access is always blocked.

Cuba’s Ivet Luisa, Singing to Yemaya

Ivet Letus Luisa graduated from the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory. She is currently cutting her first record “produced by Emilio Vega, and where I had an opportunity to work with excellent musicians like Jorge Reyes, Alfred Thomson and Rolando Luna.”

A Cuba Artist’s ‘Corporal Concepts’

There are two ways to read this interview with Cuban artist Yoanny Aldaya. The first: read the interview and then look at the photo gallery. The second: look at the photo gallery and then read the interview. We recommend the latter. (16 photos)

With Cuban Dancer Leslie Ung

Spanish dance is now taught and recognized at the university level in Cuba. Among those artists who have mastered this style is the dancer Leslie Ung, one of the privileged performers. She commented, “Dancers in this profession here on the island should work more on our Cuban interpretation of flamenco.”

A Venezuela-Cuba Drum Connection

William Hernandez is a Venezuelan percussionist who’s in love with Afro-Cuban music. He and the Muñequitos de Matanzas performed using his creation: “el cajon,” which he also calls the “Obba Drum.”