Yuliesky Gonzalez - Cubanero (2020)

‘CUBANERO’ Debut Album by the Cuban trumpet player and composer Yuliesky González. Rooted in the Afro Cuban environment from his childhood streets González shares a personal testimony that includes the mystical and mythical of the Afro Cuban spirit.

Ten years old Yuliesky González began the Music Conservatory of Camagüey while at the same time learning trumpet from his father and his grandfather. Graduating at nineteen González joined the obligatory military service in the army band in Habana. There he formed a brass quintet and began writing his own compositions. After two years of service the talented trumpet player started his professional music career. He performed with Omara Portuondo, Feliz Valoy, Changuito, Manolito Simonet, Pupi Pedroso, Pedro Lugo “Nene” and Alexander Abreu, just to name some. Since then he’s been touring and performing internationally with artists from all over the world.

‘Cubanero’ is reflecting the history of Cuban Jazz as well as the Cuban popular music. The music is coloured by influences from Yuliesky’s education in Classical European music and the crispy African rhythms that are the daily life on the streets of any Cuban town. The album line up includes two of the greatest Scandinavian Jazz capacities. Guitarist Bjarne Roupé performed with Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Hermeto Pascual, John Scofield, Deedee Bridgewater, Eddie Harris, Toots Thieleman, to name a few. Saxofonist Tomas Franck has performed with John Scofield, Eliane Elias, Steve Swallow, Carla Bley, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, David Sanborn and many more..

‘Cubanero’ has been on a long travel from the recordings in Copenhagen to this final release! The recordings went through different studios and hands for the mixing and versions we where not entirely satisfied with. Yuliesky was utterly busy with an ever expanding career and the adjustments had to be done in between a busy schedule. Finaly we found the right people mixing the recordings to our perfect satisfaction. Mr Hugo José Días Sanchez made a beautiful warm mix and Mr Luis Damian Güell made a precious mastering and the music at last got the huge sound it deserves!