David Virelles - Sudeste (2026) [Hi-Res]

Jazz pianist and composer David Virelles has presented the album Sudeste, recorded in collaboration with his father, the Cuban singer-songwriter José Aquiles Virelles. The album title references southeastern Cuba and the city of Santiago de Cuba — a crucial cultural hub on the island and the ancestral home of the Virelles family. The project serves as an organic continuation of a musical connection that began in the pianist's childhood, when he first performed alongside his parents.

The core repertoire of Sudeste consists of original songs by José Aquiles, a long-standing figure in the trova, bolero, and son traditions. Throughout the production, David Virelles merged his father's vocal performances with classical string arrangements by The Solar String Quartet, avant-garde jazz concepts, and improvisational textures. Recorded between New York City and the historic Siboney studios in Santiago, the album also features guitarist Brandon Ross and bassist Thomas Morgan.

This release expands upon David Virelles's ethnomusicological research previously released on ECM and within his project The Singer’s Grove, which focuses on pre-revolutionary Cuban heritage. Sudeste offers a contemplative listening experience, countering modern haste with a slow exploration of family memory, migration, and the intersection of traditional Cuban folk music with modern experimental jazz.

Tracklist:
1. David Virelles - Sudeste
2. David Virelles - Manantial
3. David Virelles - Nana de Amanda Sophia
4. David Virelles - Bolero En Mi Bemol
5. David Virelles - Mira
6. David Virelles - Completely
7. David Virelles - Hoy
8. David Virelles - Raquel
9. David Virelles - Desnuda
10. David Virelles - Dans