The young Rubén González was an accomplished classical pianist and in his youth was planning to become a doctor. In 1941 he gave up his studies of classical music and medicine to begin his professional career playing dance music, playing with most of the major orchestras in Cuba. He began his recording career in 1943 with the pioneering bandleader Arsenio Rodríguez, who would help revolutionise the sound of Cuban music. Rubén said that he approached the piano not as an accompanying instrument but one that also leads, whilst still maintaining the rhythm. Arsenio became a major influence on Rubéns playing style and his outlook on life, giving him some invaluable advice that he has always tried to follow. He explained that the key to being a great pianist was mastering Cuban syncopation, while at the same time playing from the heart. Don't worry about what anyone else is doing. Just play your own style, whatever it is, but don't imitate anyone. Just carry on like that, so when people hear your music, they'll say, that's Rubén."
Along with Lilí Martínez and Peruchin, Rubén was part of a trio of pianists who helped shape the way in which this music would develop. Having established his own distinctive style Rubén went on to play in various orchestras throughout South America before returning to Cuba. In the early 1960s Rubén became pianist for Enrique Jorrín, the man credited for inventing the cha cha cha, and would continue to play for him for the next 25 years. In 1979 the cream of Cubas musicians got together for the Estrellas De Areito sessions. Hand picked especially for these recordings, the stellar line-up included Rubén González as a featured soloist. After Jorríns death in the mid-80s Rubén briefly took over the role as band leader but would choose to retire soon after.
It wasn't until 1996, when the now legendary trio of albums-the Afro Cuban All Stars' A Toda Cuba le Gusta, produced by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and Nick Gold, Buena Vista Social ClubÔ, produced by Ry Cooder; and Introducing Rubén Gonzalez, also produced by Gold, all for World Circuit-was recorded that Rubén would play again professionally. Ruben's genius was a crucial factor in the success of the projects, which were all recorded during a three week recording blitz. After years without owning a piano, and despite the onset of arthritis, the music flowed out of him prompting Cooder to call him "the greatest piano soloist I have ever heard in my life." All three albums would become commercial and critical phenomena and finally brought Rubén the international recognition that he richly deserved. Rubén's piano playing is an essential feature on the solo albums of fellow Buena Vista stars Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. The trio of celebrated musicians toured the world several times over, delighting ecstatic audiences everywhere they went.
In 2000, aged 81, Rubén recorded what would be his swansong, Chanchullo, an album full vigour and inventiveness. Clearly inspired by his newfound success, a rejuvenated Rubén played with a power, swing and vitality that belied his years, and health. Prior to the late-90s Rubén had never toured internationally and what touched him the most was that, unlike the years he spent playing at dances, audiences were now actually listening to what he was playing. Sadly, as his health deteriorated, Rubén would be forced to retire from performing. He would remain with his family in Havana, Cuba.
Rubén González was a greatly loved individual, whose life force flowed through his playing. He had a wicked sense of humour, with an energy and passion for music that couldnt fail to touch all those who had the pleasure of knowing him, or as Ry Cooder put it, hes like a cross between Thelonious Monk and Felix the Cat. Rubén was unable to pass a piano without playing it, and the joy he got from the instrument would radiate through his very being. The world of music has lost one of the all time greats, his family and friends mourn the passing of a great man. Although he will be sadly missed, whenever one thinks of Rubén it will be of the happiness he brought to all those around him, and to the millions more that will enjoy his music for many years to come.
Happy Holidays on behalf of Cafe Sevilla! join us this Wednesday Dec 23 for our talked about Sevilla Christmas ' Salsa and Bachata Party live... L.A. Salsa Orquestra (All-Stars Musicians from different Salsa bands) Special Dance Performance by Elena La Candela Salsa lesson 8:30pm (inter level) 18 and over with ID Drink Specials
Hello all, this will be our final release of 2009, and a great way to end the year... Pinklogik asked 10 artists and friends to remix her entire "Learning To Trust Higher Frequencies" album and what an eclectic and stunningly produced work this is. Each track has its own feel, thanks to the diverse range of artists involved in the project. A shimmering journey through ambient colours, broken beats, sweet melodies, a little bit of quantum physics, and is one hell of a trip....
(Click image to download) :
Also from S27...
[S27-030] MIN-Y-LLAN : Dark Days (Downtempo, Ambient)
We are fast approaching the last days of 2009, so what better way to celebrate than this release from Welshman "Min-Y-Llan" who offers us this collection of atmospheric ambient pieces, the melodies within are dark and cavernous, being the perfect listening for the walk home on a frozen winters evening. Each track has a very melancholic feel as if looking towards a future that isn't as bright as we hope for, but nevertheless are powerless to escape. Free download!
WOohoo! - Hey Ruben, Soon be Christmas, so we've popped up a free download right at the top of our page. No hidden aggenda, just a little bit of good will in these troubled times. Yo Ho Ho! and Happy Christmas from over the Ether : )
hi!! new video Christmas At The Zoo (The Flaming Lips cover) by the guitar plus me
from the Christmas mini album CHRISTMAS GIFT CHRISTMAS GRIFT (me against the world 01) 1. White Christmas 2. The Christmas Song 3. Christmas At The Zoo 4. Christmas Gift Christmas Grift 5. Aluminum Xmas Trees (acoustic) 6. Silent Night
Adviruz is the artist psedonym of Istanbul’s Pinar Gurcan, whose growing passion for sound is translated through her music. Since an early age, she has been listening and mimicking opera singers, writing melodies, songs and poems in which she spoke her mind and reflected her soul. All of which are evident on "Nightly Sounds", an 8 track album which is the equivilent of having a glimpse into a diary, learning of love lost, gained, a snapshot of the human condition from which we can all draw experience... All of these things are developed musically into minimalistic glitch, noise, idm, experimental music and microsounds, its influences reminiscent of work by artists like Tujiko Noriko, Mira Calix, Plaid and Björk.
Adviruz and Section 27 present "Nightly Sounds", an intricately woven and rewarding musical tapestry. Available now for free download.
To celebrate our first 27 releases on Section 27 Netlabel, we proudly present to you "Sectioned", a compilation of 27 tracks, amounting to 2 hours across two discs of twisted electronic beats, discordant melodies, haunting passages, broken ambience, bending senses of time and space, microscopic glitches, pounding bass frequencies, sounds between sounds, the human voice and the audible sensation of music dissolving in acid. This is the sound of your mind's eye. This is the sound of the Sectioned... Strap yourself in and enjoy the experience.
Also features a 75 minute bonus disc "Sectioned : Nonimxs", including 9 remixes of selected Section 27 artists by Nonima and 2 original tracks created by Silent Snow and Nina Kardec using existing Nonima tracks.
Great profile. Peace and progress. Many thanks for adding me and your comment.. Any suggestions is welcome. Hope you enjoy and dance to my Music. All the best wishes. Farid
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