Serving songs certain to make the body move, Alex Cuba will be bringing Latin soul to the Bragg Creek Centre Nov. 23 – the next performance for the Bragg Creek Performing Arts.
The winner of two Latin Grammys and an American Grammy nominee, Cuba (nee Puentes) is a Cuban-Canadian based out of Smithers, B.C.
It’s difficult to nail down Cuba’s music, which is a blend of Cuban grooves, jazz, funk, pop and ‘seventies soul’. Some have referred to him as a modern-day Marvin Gaye.
Singing mostly in Spanish and talking mainly in English, his smooth vocals are backed by his pick-free guitar hands, rounded out with bass and drums in nothing less than power trio format, with 2012 release, Static in the System, under wing.
“Growing up in Cuba, I was exposed to many kinds of music, especially through my father (Valentin Puentes) who was an encyclopedia of music,” said Cuba, who first settled in Victoria, B.C. in 1999, after marrying his Canadian wife, Sarah.
His first album in Canada, Morumba Cubana, was developed out of the musical duo he formed with his twin brother, Adonis, earning them a Juno nomination.
By 2003, Cuba relocated to his wife’s hometown of Smithers to raise his family and by 2004 he had ventured down a solo career path – attributing much of his success to Sarah.
“She’s been my right hand from the beginning. I wouldn’t have done half of what I’ve done without her.”
Now performing over 100 shows a year, Cuba said his greatest accomplishment is establishing himself as a singer/songwriter, including collaborations with Canadian music icons such as Nelly Furtado, Corinne Bailey Rae and Ron Sexsmith.
“She (Nelly) came across my music somehow and wrote to me…we wrote nine songs together and she recorded seven on her album. We just kept collaborating,” said Cuba. “I later wrote a song and as soon as I wrote it, I heard her voice.”
This track, “Nadie Como Tu” is featured on Static in the System.
Another cornerstone for Cuba was to win two Latin Grammys, becoming the first Canadian artist to win a Latin Grammy.
“That was quite the ordeal…this year we’re up for Best Short Form Music Video of the Year at the Latin Grammys,” he said, adding that he will be performing the night before the event, which will be held at Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nov. 21.
Cuba said he is looking forward to his Bragg Creek performance, as it’s been several years since he’s played for the hamlet.
“Last time I was there, the inspiration came to me and I wrote a song, “Las Mujeres”, so you never know…”
Tickets to the show are $40, available at braggcreekperformingarts.com or by phoning the ticket hotline at 403-949-4114.
