Episode 026 : Hector Cuevas and The Boston Latin Band
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This is the kind of story that reminds you why it's important not to give up on your dreams.
I first heard Hector Cuevas and The Boston Latin Band by way of Calabash Music after I had found myself listening to a number of Afro Cuban records, including Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzalez, Compay Segundo, Manuel Galban, and a bunch of compilation CDs tracing the roots and history of Cuban music, including The Music of Cuba: 1909-1951, Cuba Si!, the three Hecho en Cuba discs, and Cuba: The Essential Album.
Hunting around on Calabash Music, I discovered Hector Cuevas and was somewhat surprised to discover that they were based in Boston, Massachusetts.
Hector Cuevas was born in the Dominican Republic and grew up listening to Cuban music from Johnny Ventura, Sonora Matancera, Alberto Beltran, Bennie More, Vicentico Valdez, Rolando La Serie and other music that his father and mother exposed him to over the years.
Aspiring to be a musician from a young age and taking lessons in the Dominican Republic, he had the chance to move to America in the early '70s and arrived in New York City at the age of 17 to study accounting--and also to play music.
Over the years he played as a percussionist with the likes of Tito Puentes, Eddie Palmieri, Hanzel and Raul, Johnny Pacheco, Eddie Guagua Rivera and many more. In addition to New York, Cuevas lived in New Orleans, Miami, and Boston and in our interview he'll explain how his tenure in each of these cities effected his musical future.
In 2003, the Boston Latin Band released Cubarengue, produced by Hector Jesus Alejandro Perez and recorded in Montreal. The debut CD covers a number of styles of Cuban music, including salsa, bolero, and merengue, and realizes Cuevas' goal to reach back to the roots of these Cuban distinct musical styles.
Cuevas worked with his wife, Janet Miller Wiseman, on the creation of The Boston Latin Band. They now work closely together on its currently booking and business management. Wiseman also participates in the interview as she has been a significant influence over the group and their history.
I recently met with Cuevas and Miller Wiseman in Lexington, Massachusetts to discuss:
* what initially inspired him to form and front The Boston Latin Band and start writing his own material
* where he found the various musicians who make up The Boston Latin Band.
* how the band plays at a wide variety of venues and why he enjoys the diverse settings
Music featured in the interview from Hector Cuevas includes:
1) Cubarengue (Cubarengue) (in preview)
2) Dios lo Cria (Cubarengue)
3) Aunque Cuesta me Cuestra la Vida (Cubarengue)
4) The Boston Latin Band (Cubarengue)
5) Merengulina (In Dreams...)
6) Tributo A Pacheco (In Dreams...)
7) Por Culpa de Ella (Cubarengue)
8) Chencha (Cubarengue)
9) Merengue Jazz (Cubarengue)
10) Homenaje a Sammy Sosa (single)
11) Envidia (Cubarengue)
If you like this interview, give a listen to the Well-Rounded Radio Interviews with Brad Powell of Calabash Music and Greg Hopkins.
Hector Cuevas and The Boston Latin Band available via Calabash Music, Well-Rounded Radio's Amazon.com Associates site
Hector recommends Beny More
Well-Rounded Radio recommends Little Brother is Watching.
