Alex Cuba
| Alex Cuba | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Alex Cuba - Live in Concert - 2009 |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alexis Puentes |
| Born | 1974 (age 37–38) |
| Origin | Artemisa, Cuba |
| Genres | Latin jazz, pop |
| Occupations | Singer-songwriter |
| Labels | Caracol |
| Website | alexcuba.com |
Alexis Puentes (born 1974),[1] better known by his stage name Alex Cuba, is a Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter who sings in Spanish and English. He has won two Juno Awards for World Music Album of the Year: in 2006 for Humo De Tabaco, and in 2008 for his second album, Agua Del Pozo. In 2010 he won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist.
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[edit] Biography
Cuba was born in Cuba, spending his childhood in Artemisa, the son of guitar player and music teacher Valentin Puentes. He started playing guitar himself at age six.[1] As an adult, he shifted into jazz fusion styles. He immigrated to Canada in 1999 after marrying a Canadian in Cuba. He and his twin brother Adonis first settled in Victoria, British Columbia, and worked as a duo, the Puentes Brothers, and received a Juno Award nomination. They started solo careers in 2004, but continued their songwriting partnership, with Adonis co-writing two of the songs on Agua Del Pozo. In 2003, Cuba moved to Smithers, British Columbia, the hometown of his wife, Sarah, whose father is politician Bill Goodacre.[1][2] They have three children.[2]
Collaborators on his debut, Humo De Tabaco, include Ron Sexsmith and Corinne Bailey Rae. "Lo Mismo Que Yo," a duet with Sexsmith, became a hit in the UK Singles Chart, reaching #52.[3][4]
In 2009, he co-wrote and recorded a duet with fellow Canadian Nelly Furtado. "Mi Plan" turned out to be the title track for her fourth studio album of the same name. Cuba co-wrote more than half of the songs on Furtado's album.[2]
His music reflects primarily Latin and African influences, but with a mix of funk, jazz and pop.[1]
[edit] Discography
- The Puentes Brothers:
- 2001: Morumba Cubana
- Solo:
- 2004: Humo De Tabaco
- 2007: Agua Del Pozo
- 2009: Alex Cuba
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Terauds, John (March 22, 2007). "Cuban water drawn from a Canadian well". Toronto Star. p. H6.
- ^ a b c Dunlevy, T'Cha (November 26, 2009). "Smooth and soulful: Alex Cuba, who co-wrote more than half of Nelly Furtado's new Spanish-language album, brings his ever-expanding musical sound to L'Astral", The Gazette, p. C1.
- ^ Devlin, Mike (February 8, 2007). "From Cuba to Smithers with a jazz twist". Times-Colonist. p. D6.
- ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 129. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
