Adonis Puentes

Adonis Puentes is a singer-songwriter who describes his music as “fusion with Cuban roots.” Since his arrival in Canada 16 years ago, Puentes has earned critical acclaim as a Sonero, singing ballads backed by the mix of Spanish guitars with African rhythms, peculiar to Cuba. Adonis and his twin brother Alexis (Alex Cuba) were born in 1974 in Artemisa, a colonial city southwest of Havana, Cuba. By six years of age, they were learning guitar. Their father, Valentin, was an inspiring ... [ more ] Adonis Puentes is a singer-songwriter who describes his music as “fusion with Cuban roots.” Since his arrival in Canada 16 years ago, Puentes has earned critical acclaim as a Sonero, singing ballads backed by the mix of Spanish guitars with African rhythms, peculiar to Cuba.
Adonis and his twin brother Alexis (Alex Cuba) were born in 1974 in Artemisa, a colonial city southwest of Havana, Cuba. By six years of age, they were learning guitar. Their father, Valentin, was an inspiring professor, insisting the boys hear only the finest music. The senior Puentes formed a touring children’s ensemble featuring two dozen guitarists, travelling an island where music ranks only behind baseball as an obsession.
When not on the road, the twins performed at the city’s Casa de Cultura across the street from their home, where they also jammed with many of the country’s renowned musicians. So it is no surprise that on his new release Adonis teams up with legendary Cuban tres player Pancho Amat to produce a tribute to the iconic Trova from the 30’s, Maria Teresa Vera.
In 1998 Adonis arrived in Canada and joined with his brother Alexis (Alex Cuba) to form The Puentes Brothers and release the Juno nominated Morumba Cubana. They toured extensively together performing at major Canadian Festivals and theatres with additional performances in the US. In 2002 the brothers took their own direction with Adonis releasing his first solo album in 2006 “Vida”. In 2008-2012 Adonis found himself performing extensively in the US as lead singer for a number of large ensembes. The Hot Latin Jazz All-Stars, Rebecca Mole and was the lead singer on the Grammy nominated Mongarama release.
He had at this time developed his song-writing and choosing from some of the players he had worked with and produced his self penned master-piece “Sabor A Café” . “I have traveled the world singing. My mission in life is to share my music, giving people joy,” Adonis explains. “My new recording captures my poetic journey, my revelations and my maturing as an artist.”
In support of this release Adonis performed in at Festivals and stages including Toronto’s “Beaches Jazz Festival”, Latin Fest in Vancouver, American Folk Festival in Bangor, Maine, Redlands Bowl California where PBS filmed the concert and many more. He was even a guest starring vocalist for Larry Harlow at Lincoln Centre, New York this past summer. In recognition of the quality of the CD “Sabor A Café” was nominated for a 2014 Juno Award as World Music Album of the Year.

In honouring the heritage and tradition of Cuban Music Adonis joined up with Pancho Amat to release Viente Anos – Homage
The Trovadores were individuals who sang their own compositions, accompanied themselves on the guitar and dealt poetically with the lyric aspects of the songs. And that was exactly what María Teresa Vera did in her lifetime. In fact she was, with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo, one half of one of the most celebrated duos in Cuban Trova history: “Los Compadres.” One of the most acclaimed habaneras of the 40’s was “Veinte Años.” Now, Adonis Puentes and Pancho Amat will keep its legend and marvels alive with their own album, titled after the original famous composition.
In reviving the history of traditional Cuban Music while embracing his own world music style Adonis is taking tropical global music to a new audiences around the world. Spreading the infectious rhythms and joy his music brings is what Adonis Puentes and the Voice Of Cuba Orchestra will continue to do. [ less ]

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Adonis Puentes

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