José Aquiles Virelles / Cantautor Cubano

José Aquiles Virelles / Cantautor Cubano

Presented by Terraza 7 

Date: Thursday, March 28th, 2024

Time: 7:30 pm.

Admission: $20: Cover at Mezzanine.

Featuring:

José Aquiles Virelles / Voice & Guitar

About José Aquiles Virelles:

José Virelles, born on November 8, 1957, in Santiago de Cuba, is a distinguished singer-songwriter and a leading figure in the Nueva Trova movement, an evolution of Cuban music originating in the late 20th century. Drawing inspiration from the traditional trovadores (troubadours) and the Feeling song movement, Nueva Trova also weaves in elements of rock, pop, and Tropicália.

With a musical journey spanning nearly four decades, José Aquiles has become a prolific and celebrated composer, contributing his talents to theater, ballet, television, and film. His dedication to his craft has earned him numerous awards, including the CubaDisco and the Adolfo Guzmán awards, as he continues to honor the rich musical heritage of his hometown.

He has been a finalist multiple times at the Adolfo Guzmán Cuban Music Contest, winning the Grand Prize in 2002. Every first Saturday of the month, he hosts the "Peña del Menú" at the Francisco Prat Puig Cultural Center in Santiago de Cuba, his place of birth. In 2011, he was recognized as Composer of the Year.

José's unique composition style and deep affection for the spirit and culture of his homeland shine through in his music, which incorporates the area's architecture and art into his songwriting. He was awarded the Trova category at the CubaDisco awards in 2011 and received the Alejo Carpentier Medal in 2022.

His early education was at the 26 de Julio school, where he first engaged in theater and music groups, gaining recognition for his talents. He continued his education at the Military School Camilo Cienfuegos and then at the Espino Fernández Basic Secondary School, where he taught himself guitar. He later earned a scholarship to the Rubén Martínez Villena Technological Institute in Havana, where he joined two amateur musical groups and participated in festivals organized by FEEM, performing his own songs as well as those by Silvio Rodríguez and Pablo Milanés.

Throughout his career, José Aquiles has collaborated with prestigious artists and has toured extensively, bringing his music to stages worldwide. He has also served as a juror at various music festivals and has worked as an independent producer. His discography is extensive, featuring anthologies and albums that celebrate the rich tapestry of Cuban music, with his most recent production, "A conquistar otro camino," winning the 2011 Cubadisco award in the Trova category.

José Aquiles Virelles Rodríguez's prolific output and dedication to Cuban music make him one of the most influential composers from Santiago de Cuba of the past two decades, with his work recognized and honored by the José María Heredia Plaque among other accolades.