Album Notes

Guillermo Rubalcaba is the director and founder of the legendary Charanga Rubalcaba. He is considered - together with Rubén González - to be one of Cuba's best pianists. Guillermo is also a member of a reputable musical dynasty that includes his sons Jesús (piano) and William (bass), who play in his band, and the jazz prodigy Gonzalo Rubalcaba.

The veteran pianist continues to preserve the finest traditions of popular Cuban music. Guillermo at the moment is the guest pianist at most of the live concerts of the Buena Vista Social Club and has also worked with Afro Cuban all Stars and Soneros De Verdad.

Guillermo Rubalcaba was born on January 10, 1927, in Pinar del Río. He has dedicated over 50 years of his life to creating and performing the best Cuban music. While living in his native province of Pinar del Rio he toured with his brother’s Monte Carlo jazz band, Ases del Ritmo, and Eden Pinareño.

In 1962, Guillermo Rubalcaba founded La Charanga Rubalcaba. The current band has not only preserved the original format of the charangas as they were in the decade of the 1930s, but has also maintained the style of performance and the repertoire of the charangas. When the most noted charangueros are talked about, one immediately remembers the name of Guillermo Rubalcaba, one of the biggest charangueros of the last hundred years.

Guillermo Rubalcaba, an exceptionally gifted pianist, combines a refined melodic expression with a sense of rhythm that has pure Cuban flavor. Maestro Rubalcaba’s impressive ability at musical improvisation has made him famous, to the point where he has influenced most contemporary pianists that work in dance bands. From the danzón to the cha cha chá, through the bolero, Rubalcaba, both with his own creations as with the versions of other composers, maintains pure and intact the soul of the Charanga.

The Charanga Rubalcaba’s teamwork is outstanding; the sound balance is underlined by an excellent recording, and the musicians imprint a serene, classical atmosphere, to each of their performances.