The Buena Vista Social Club is a musical project synonymous with Cuban culture and music. Established in 1996, this ensemble of Cuban musicians captured the hearts of millions around the world, reviving traditional Cuban music genres, like son, danzon, and bolero, and sparking a renewed interest in Latin American music as a whole.
Keep reading to dive deeper into the intriguing history of the Buena Vista Social Club, how it started, its impact on the film and music industries, and what happened to the group over time.
Havana’s Buena Vista Social Club today
If you want a night filled with first-class Cuban beats performed by live musicians and sensational cocktails, venture into the heart of Old Havana to find the Buena Vista Social Club venue.
Also known as Buena Vista Social Night, this music venue represents the peak of Havana’s nightlife scene. Located near the emblematic Paseo de Martí, the venue regularly hosts performances by the original members of the Buena Vista Social Club band, such as Omara Portuondo.
Buena Vista Social Club: How it Started
The Buena Vista Social Club project was organised by World Circuit executive Nick Gold, produced by American guitarist Ry Cooder, and directed by Juan de Marcos González. The concept first began when Gold invited Cooder to Havana to record a session with African musicians from Mali. However, these musicians did not receive their visas in time, so they were unable to travel to Cuba. As a result, Cooker and Gold decided to record an album with local musicians instead, playing Cuban son music.
After only three days, they had organised a large group of musicians, arranging recording sessions at EGREM studios in Havana, formerly owned by RCA Records. Although the team and musicians working on the album had a language barrier (with some of them only speaking English and others speaking Spanish), they had an interpreter to communicate – but Cooder would later comment that “musicians understand each other through means other than speaking.”
The initial goal was to bring together a group of talented Cuban musicians and introduce their music to a broader audience. They named themselves after a long-defunct club in the Buenavista quarter of Havana that once served as a social hub for musicians and performers.
This group featured a lineup of a dozen legendary Cuban artists, including Compay Segundo, Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Eliades Ochoa, Omara Portuondo, and many more. Together, they created a unique and captivating sound that combined son cubano, bolero, guajira, and other traditional Cuban styles.
Buena Vista Social Club: Music
The Buena Vista Social Club project resulted in several successful albums and EPs, most notably their self-titled debut, released in 1997. This 14-track album only took six days to record – it opened with “Chan Chan,” a four-chord son written by Compay Segundo. Cooder would later describe this track as “the Buena Vista calling card.” The album ended with “La Bayamesa,” a romantic criolla written by Sindo Gray. Another track, titled “Buena Vista Social Club,” spotlighted the piano work of Rubén González. This track was written by Orestes Lopez and recorded after Cooder heard González improvising around this tune’s musical theme before a recording session.
At first, only a few took notice of this album’s acoustic rhythms and sculpted tunes. Then, the album was reviewed by a few experienced critics, setting off a chain reaction that began to surge sales. However, rather than interest tapering off over time, which happens with most albums, sales began to rise steadily every week, primarily by word of mouth. Listeners quickly fell in love with this album, inspiring them to play or recommend it to their friends and family.
It wasn’t long before the album became a global sensation, selling over eight million copies worldwide and making it the biggest-selling Cuban album in history. The music’s popularity was partly due to its nostalgic appeal, harkening back to a time of cultural richness and artistic expression that could only be found in Cuba.
Buena Vista Social Club: Film
In 1999, German filmmaker Wim Wenders directed a documentary about the Buena Vista Social Club. The film followed the musicians as they prepared for performances in New York City and Amsterdam, showcasing their extraordinary talents and sharing their personal stories. This documentary showcases their emotions and experiences, along with footage of the sell-out concert.
According to many viewers, this film was about more than just music. It showed scenes of Cuban musicians achieving success in New York and beyond, as well as getting the chance to travel and spread the message of their Cuban music and culture.
The documentary was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $23 million worldwide, earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature and introducing the Buena Vista Social Club to an even larger audience. It also won in the category of best documentary at the European Film Awards and received 17 other major international awards.
This film allowed the musicians, some of whom were already in old age, to grow their worldwide audience – some even went on to release popular solo projects, including Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Rueben Gonzalez.
What Happened to Buena Vista Social Club?
Unfortunately, many of the original members of the Buena Vista Social Club have since passed away, including Compay Segundo, Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, and others. However, their legacy lives on through the remaining members, like Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa, who continue to tour and record music under the name of Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club. Additionally, the group’s success has inspired numerous other projects and collaborations, ensuring that the spirit of the Buena Vista Social Club will continue to enchant audiences worldwide.
Final Thoughts
The Buena Vista Social Club has left an indelible mark on the history of music, revitalising traditional Cuban music and introducing it to a new generation of fans. Through their captivating performances, timeless songs, and unforgettable stories, the group has immortalised the vibrant culture of Cuba and ensured its enduring significance in the world of music.
Meta description: The Buena Vista Social Club was a legendary group of Cuban musicians who gained international recognition in the late 1990s. Discover the fascinating history of this iconic cultural institution in this article.
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