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The former Buena Vista Social Club™ kingpin makes a rare London appearance and his first at the Barbican in more than ten years. Eliades is known as Mr Chan Chan in his hometown of Santiago de Cuba, from the song that Compay Segundo gave to him to make its first recording. His unique guitar and vocal style has made him a champion of string and percussion driven son, bolero and guaracha. Eliades has nurtured and grown the legacy and repertoire of greats like Compay, Miguel Matamoros and Celia Cruz. His extraordinary life story is the subject of a new film Eliades Ochoa – From Cuba to the World currently picking up awards on the festival circuit. Eliades played the first notes on his guitar at the age of six, and at twelve he walked around town singing what he had learned from the radio – the rest is eternal Cuban music history. ‘The finest guitarist of his generation.’ The Guardian ‘A Cuban troubadour thrills the world stage.’ Los Angeles Times
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Eliades Ochoa Biography
Eliades Ochoa is well known worldwide as a Cuban singer and guitarist who has been recording and performing for over 40 years, including as part of the multi-million selling ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ album. He is considered one of the most important Cuban soneros of all time and is a remarkable celebrator of Cuban traditional music.
He was born in June 11, 1946 at Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba Province and since 1958, he is living in Santiago de Cuba City, where he has pursued his artistic career. Since early years he learned how to play the guitar and tres, achieving also vocal qualities, exhibiting them through the interpretation of Cuban traditional music as Sones, Guarachas, Guajiras and Boleros.
His professional career started in the 60s, with Oriental Quintet and later on he entered Típico Septet. In 1978, joined Patria Quartet as director and singer. In 1986, he shared a recording with the luminary Cuban singer Francisco Repilado, well known as Compay Segundo, 'El Chan Chan' and in 1989 they made different presentations in Washington, Guadalupe and Dominican Republic. In 1997, he took part of Buena Vista Social Club record, winner of a Grammy Award.
He has toured around 40 countries and recorded disks, approaching titles of great significance for Cuban music such as 'Son de Oriente', 'Chanchaneando' with Compay Segundo; 'La venganza de Perico', together with Divango, famous saxophonist from Camerún; the continental record 'El Guateque de Don Tomás' with North American Bob Dylan and the most famous theme 'Píntate los labios María' which with the video clip created by Frank Padrón, received different Lucas Prizes and other international recognitions highlighting various Gold Disks.
Read MoreHe was born in June 11, 1946 at Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba Province and since 1958, he is living in Santiago de Cuba City, where he has pursued his artistic career. Since early years he learned how to play the guitar and tres, achieving also vocal qualities, exhibiting them through the interpretation of Cuban traditional music as Sones, Guarachas, Guajiras and Boleros.
His professional career started in the 60s, with Oriental Quintet and later on he entered Típico Septet. In 1978, joined Patria Quartet as director and singer. In 1986, he shared a recording with the luminary Cuban singer Francisco Repilado, well known as Compay Segundo, 'El Chan Chan' and in 1989 they made different presentations in Washington, Guadalupe and Dominican Republic. In 1997, he took part of Buena Vista Social Club record, winner of a Grammy Award.
He has toured around 40 countries and recorded disks, approaching titles of great significance for Cuban music such as 'Son de Oriente', 'Chanchaneando' with Compay Segundo; 'La venganza de Perico', together with Divango, famous saxophonist from Camerún; the continental record 'El Guateque de Don Tomás' with North American Bob Dylan and the most famous theme 'Píntate los labios María' which with the video clip created by Frank Padrón, received different Lucas Prizes and other international recognitions highlighting various Gold Disks.
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