Singer-songwriter Alex Cuba hails from Artemisa, Cuba (60KM from Havana) and resides in Smithers, B.C. (14 hours north of Vancouver). Musically, he lives everywhere in between. His trademark sugarcane-sweet melodies, pop-soul hooks and rock chords subtly subvert commonly held notions of what Cuban music is. Alex is on the vanguard, crafting a cross-cultural sound that mirrors his geographical journey. Not tied to tradition, this Cuban-Canadian prefers his vintage Gibson over el sencerro (cowbell) anytime.
From his earliest years in Artemisa, he was immersed in music. Alex's first stage appearance on national TV was at the tender age of four, playing claves (a percussion instrument) in a group directed by his music instructor father. Alex went on to study guitar, tres, percussion and bass, practicing eight hours a day during his teens.
Alex Cuba won a National Song Writing Competition in Cuba when he was only 18, but only recognized his singer/songwriter path upon moving to Canada, after years playing bass in traditional Cuban groups as well as jazz and pop alongside Roberto Fonseca and Javier Zalba (now with the Buena Vista Social Club), recording three albums and touring Europe.
In Canada, he teamed up with his twin brother Adonis to record Morumba Cubana, as The Puentes Brothers, including seven original compositions of Alex and two co-written with Adonis. In 2001, the album received a nomination for a Juno award - as well as winning a West Coast Music Award and a Canadian Independent Music Award.
But for Alex something didn't quite fit, and departing from Cuban music norms to follow his own path appears to be paying off - with his debut CD with the Alex Cuba Band, Humo De Tabaco, earning him a Juno award for World Music Album in 2006, with the single Lo Mismo Que Yo, featuring Ron Sexsmith being play listed on BBC Radio 2 .
Alex Cuba has performed for festivals in the US and Canada, sharing the stage with Seu Jorge and Jose Gonzalez at Central Park Summer Stage in New York to Feist at the Regina Folk Festival. He has opened for The Blind Boys of Alabama, Cesaria Evora and Ron Sexsmith.
Arriving at a place where he knows himself both musically and spiritually, Alex returned to the studio, this time with producer Joby Baker of Victoria, recording his second album, Agua Del Pozo, released February, 2007 in Canada. New for Alexis is the electric guitar, a vintage Gibson that brings a trademark sound equal to his magnetic appearance.
Alex Cuba is independently promoting his sophomore album heavily in Canada and touring the U.S. 2008 is shaping up to a big year as he had the iTunes Single of the Week early January, has garnered strong media coverage and sell-out tours in the U.S., has had a documentary air on Bravo! and has a concert special being released on DVD and airing on TV. Alex has also been nominated for a Canadian Music Week “indie” Award for Favourite World Music Artist and for a 2008 Juno Award for Best World Music album.
