Jazzy Cuban soul meets Latin pop in singer-songwriter Alex Cuba’s upcoming Kay Meek Arts Centre concert, September 23
A four-time Latin Grammy Award-winner, Cuba has collaborated with artists from Nelly Furtado to Jason Mraz
Alex Cuba. Photo by Christina Woerns
Alex Cuba performs at the Grosvenor Theatre at Kay Meek Arts Centre on September 23 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm
AN HOUR OUTSIDE of Havana, Cuba, in the tropical, tranquil municipality of Artemisa, is where singer-songwriter Alex Cuba was born.
In 1999, Cuba moved to Victoria, B.C., and from there his music career blossomed. The now-world-renowned talent’s upcoming concert at the Kay Meek Arts Centre puts his artistry on full display.
A powerhouse on the guitar and bass, Cuba’s soulful style melds Latin pop hooks, rock chords, and jazz influences with his Cuban folk roots. His downright unique sound has wowed audiences since 2006, when he won a Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year with his debut solo album Humo De Tobaco.
The artist’s upward trajectory has led him to work alongside musicians among the likes of Jason Mraz, Ron Sexsmith, and Nelly Furtado. He secured a BMI Latin Award in 2011 for his work as songwriter of Furtado’s top hit “Manos Al Aire”, off her first entirely Spanish-language album Mi plan. Cuba co-wrote five other songs on the album, too, including the title track “Mi plan” and the lyrically vulnerable “Sueños”.
Cuba has won four Latin Grammy Awards over the impressive tenure of his career, including Best New Artist in 2010, Best Tropical Song in 2012 for his songwriting on Milly Quezada’s single “Toma Mi Vida” featuring Juan Luis Guerra, and Best Singer-Songwriter Album in 2015 for his record Healer.
His 2021 studio album Mendó won Cuba a Grammy Award in 2022 for Best Latin Pop Album, marking his first win of the award after three previous nominations (in 2011 for Alex Cuba, 2016 for Healer, and 2018 for Lo Único Constante).
Mendó draws its flair from a vibrant 13-piece Cuban horn band, plus a roster of international collaborations such as Grammy Award-winning Mexican singer-songwriter Lila Downs on the track “Mundo Nuevo”. Impressively, the album was recorded at Cuba’s home in Smithers, B.C., where he’s resided for over 15 years.
The Kay Meek Arts Centre concert this month is in celebration of Cuba’s ninth and latest studio album, El Swing Que Yo Tengo, which was released in June. Audiences can expect to hear highlights from the project, spanning experimental electric bass-infused tracks and bluesy Caribbean influences.
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