Buena Vista Social Club
Biography
Buena Vista Social Club was an ensemble of Cuban musicians established in 1996 to revive the music of pre-revolutionary Cuba. The project, organized by World Circuit executive Nick Gold, American guitarist Ry Cooder, and Cuban bandleader Juan de Marcos González, brought together a group of legendary, albeit largely forgotten, Cuban artists. Many of the musicians were in their sixties and seventies, and some had retired from music. The group was named after a popular members-only club in the Buenavista quarter of Havana, a hotspot for musicians in the 1940s.
The Album
In March 1996, the group recorded their self-titled album at EGREM studios in Havana in just six days. The album featured traditional Cuban musical styles like son, bolero, guajira, and danzón. Released in September 1997, "Buena Vista Social Club" became an unexpected international success. It received widespread critical acclaim, won a Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album in 1998, and has sold over 8 million copies worldwide, making it the best-selling Cuban album in history. The album's success sparked a global revival of interest in traditional Cuban and Latin American music.
The Documentary
The album's success led to a 1999 documentary film of the same name, directed by Wim Wenders. The film chronicles the recording of the album in Havana and the group's first concerts in Amsterdam and at New York's Carnegie Hall. The documentary features interviews with the musicians, offering a glimpse into their lives and the rich musical culture of Cuba. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature and won numerous awards, further catapulting the musicians to international stardom.
Key Members
The ensemble featured a lineup of Cuba's most revered musicians:
Compay Segundo (1907–2003)
A guitarist and singer, he was known for creating the armónico, a seven-stringed guitar-like instrument. At 89, he was the oldest member of the original ensemble and a vital link to Cuba's musical past.
Ibrahim Ferrer (1927–2005)
A vocalist known for his mastery of the son and bolero. After years of obscurity, during which he shined shoes to make a living, the project revived his career.
Rubén González (1919–2003)
A legendary pianist, he was persuaded out of retirement for the project. At the time of the recording, he didn't even own a piano. His playing was a cornerstone of the Buena Vista sound.
Omara Portuondo (born 1930)
The only female member of the group, she is a celebrated bolero singer often called the "girlfriend of 'feeling'". She had a successful career before the project and continues to tour.
Eliades Ochoa (born 1946)
A guitarist and singer from the countryside of Santiago, he is known for his distinctive cowboy hat and his mastery of the guajira (country music) style.
Legacy
The Buena Vista Social Club project had a profound cultural impact, creating a "brand label" for the golden age of Cuban music from the 1930s to the 1950s. It led to successful solo albums for many of its members and a series of international tours. Though many of the original members have passed away, their music continues to resonate through recordings and the ongoing "Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club" tour, which features some of the original members and new generations of Cuban musicians. A Broadway musical based on the group's story premiered in 2023, further cementing their legacy.