Direct from the world-renowned music quarter - the Original band from The Buena Vista Social Club
Juan De Marcos’ THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS
Australian Tour - March 2019

Experience the soul of Cuban Music channelled through the original THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS touring Australia in March 2019. THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS is a unique orchestra that has always been devoted to promoting the full range of Cuban music, one that embraces several generations and all musical styles as many of the acclaimed bands’ members of yesterday and today have become international music legends. In an astonishing two-weeks in 1996 THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS recorded “A toda Cuba le Gusta” featuring nearly 60 performers including celebrated artists such as Compay Segundo, Omara Portuondo and legendary guitarist Ry Cooder. The recording of these sessions became the subject of the Oscar-nominated Wim Wenders documentary “Buena Vista Social Club”. Today, there’s no slowing down the THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS, still touring the globe with their 14-piece group of Cuban musicians and still led by original bandleader Juan De Marco. The original band from The Buena Vista Social Club - THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS are touring Australia in March 2019, proudly presented by Roy Ortuso. On-Sale Date: Wednesday 19th September, 2018.

The genesis of the AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS has its roots early in the 1990s. At this time the ensemble Sierra Maestra, headed by Juan de Marcos, received a lot of international exposure. Later the group went to London and recorded “Dundumbanza", considered one of the jewels of the world music scene of the early ‘90s. (In retrospect, this recording opened the doors to the further incredible boom of the traditional Cuban music of the period). During 1997 and along with the European release of the three albums, Juan de Marcos and a select group of stellar musicians started touring all over Europe under the banner of a band christened the “Afro-Cuban All Stars”. The original line up, familiar from the records, included Ruben González and Guillermo Rubalcava (piano), Orlando López (bass), Amadito Valdés (timbale), Carlos González and Roberto Valdés (bongos & cuban percussion), Ángel Terry (congas), Daniel Ramos, Alejandro Pichardo y “Guajiro” Mirabal (trumpets), Alberto “Molote” Martínez and Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos (trombones) and Raúl Planas, Manuel Licea, Pío Leiva, Ibrahim Ferrer and Félix Baloy (lead singers).

After several years of tremendous and unexpected success – including four Grammy nominations, being the subject of several documentaries and films, and being recipients of many other distinctions – the AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS are certainly the best-known and successful Cuban orchestra after Los Van Van and Irakere. They have also opened the doors to a new generation by incorporating young musicians into the band. With THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS, Juan de Marcos has developed a concept: to stand up on the roots for creating the future.

“Juan de Marcos Afro Cuban All Stars ….. a blast of sun baked sultriness and strictly magic - *****”

“Glorious return to the Golden Age of Cuban music - led by Juan De Marcos Gonzalez, the All-Stars are a younger group of musicians adhered to tradition while keeping it fresh with astute borrowings"

“Juan de Marcos led his globe-trotting ensemble through a smooth set of bolero, rumba and salsa-infused classics….."

For THE AFRO CUBAN ALL STARS Australian Tour 2019 led by the Original Bandleader Juan de Marcos - Don’t miss this all rhythm, all dancing, uplifting musical experience straight out of Cuba, but for the world.