"As I've been discovering myself as a songwriter and a musician, I've found that music is a powerful healer...Like many musicians, I've encountered endless times that my music has given me something, and given my listeners something. It's comforting to the soul."
Alex Cuba
On November 19th Smithers Resident Alex Cuba won his 3rd Latin Grammy! If you've heard the album HEALER you know it was a well deserved win in the category of Singer-Songwriter. Heck, even if you still haven't heard HEALER, you know this is a well deserved award for a musician who has spent over a decade consistently offering solid songwriting over all five of his solo albums. If you still aren't convinced just listen! For the best info, visit Alex Cuba's website here: http://healer.alexcuba.com/music
Last week's ART BEAT show was dedicated to Alex Cuba in honor of his Latin Grammy win. I shared some interview clips, fun facts, and most important, his music. I'm not sure many people in the world know about our amazing and charming small town of Smithers where Alex Cuba lives. Smithers is a haven, and maybe even a MAGNET of musical talent. Literally people, it is like Woodstock and Glastonbury Fesitval made babies and all moved here. TALENT !! (hint check out Smithers Guitar Camp, for teens AND adults in this small paradise! THE Valdy taught at it).
Anyway... back to ALEX CUBA. Smithers is surely cheering for the success of one of it's own musical leaders. In fact not just one but including local band members Jake Jenne and Ian Olmstead. Bravo all of you! Smithereens probably know Alex Cuba lives in Smithers but I'm pretty sure they don't know as much about Alex Cuba as they think they do. I hope that last week's ART BEAT episode filled you up with even more appreciation, interest and bragging points. Like that he loves living here!
In last week's show I promised to share a couple links for more information. These little gems will give you the inside scoop. Here are those promised links and a bonus list of 10 fun facts you may not have known about Alex Cuba.
Enjoy!
C# - Colleen Sharpe, your host for ART BEAT
"If you recognize your child has some talent it can be the beginning of a musical career"
- Alex Cuba speaking about his own musical education in Cuba
1) Visit this link to read a letter Alex Cuba wrote to his music teacher in Cuba in honor of Canada's Music Monday
http://music.cbc.ca/#!/blogs/2012/4/Letter-to-my-teacher-Alex-Cuba
2) Check this out for a candid and indepth 1 hour podcast interview of Alex Cuba with New York's Leo Sidran. Leo was a producer on Alex's HEALER album. This podcast is the source of clips from last week's ART BEAT show
http://www.third-story.com/listen/2015/2/18/episode-25-alex-cuba
3) One more just because I love you... a video interview with Alex's dad Maestro Valentin Puentes
DID YOU KNOW?
1) Alex Cuba has been playing guitar since the age of 6
2) Alex has a twin brother Adonis, together they formed the band The Puentes Brothers. They won a Juno in 2001 for Best Global Album.
3) Ron Sexsmith, has been a collaborator on Alex Cuba's debut, Humo De Tabaco and Healer albums, The song "Lo Mismo Que Yo," a duet with Sexsmith, became a hit in the UK Singles Chart, reaching #52
4) He was nominated for a Grammy in 2011 for Best Latin Pop Album
5) In August 2015 the Alex Cuba band opened for Sheryl Crow at The Hollywood Bowl
6) When he first came to Canada, as a bass player, not a singer, Alex Cuba's goal was to become the bass player for Alanis Morisette or Bryan Adams.
7) He is from the town of Artemisia, Cuba
8) Alex dedicated his 2012 album Ruido en Sistema -Static in the System to Billy Bryans, the Toronto-based Parachute Club co-founder and influential world music promoter
9) Set up his own record label Caracol Records
10) He has three children, and dedicated his 3rd Latin Grammy to his wife Sarah