Scene from: The Afro-Cuban Legends
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The Afro-Cuban All Stars are a band comprises sixteen of the greatest Cuban musicians of the past forty years. They were formed in 1996 by arranger and band leader, Juan de Marcos Gonzalez, who wanted to revive and rejuvenate the sound of the Golden Age of Cuban music of the 1940s and 50's. The band comprises four generations of Cuban musicians including many from the great bands of the 40's and 50's. This band of Cuban musicians, the eldest in his eighties, have the skills to turn in burning performances that simply dazzle.
Shot entirely in Havana, the South Bank Show profiles this amazing gathering of talent, culminating in a specially arranged concert in the city's breathtaking tropical gardens. We follow the stories of several of the oldest and most distinguished members of the band including the eighty year-old Ruben Gonzalez, a genius of the piano, seemingly forgotten by Cuba's post-revolutionary regime. Apparently hampered by arthritis and not having owned a piano for ten years, Ruben has made a spectacular comeback and is now considered one of the greatest living Cuban pianists.
We also meet Ibrahim Ferrer, a classic old Cuban 'sonero' and master of bolero singing, as he embarks on his first solo album at the age of seventy six. He shows us round his Havana neighbourhood and explains how the city and its people provide the inspiration for the country's music.
The programme gives a fascinating insight not only into the music of Cuba and the roots of salsa but also shows a beautiful, crumbling city and a nation trying to survive on the slogan 'Socialism with Rhythm'.
Cast: Compay Segundo, Juan de Marcos González, Ibrahím Ferrer, Rubén González, Pío Leyva
Catalogue: 8573885312