Miguelito Valdes (www.miguelitovaldes.com) carries a rich history of performing with many of Cuba’s top performers, including the Cabaret Tropicana Orquestra, Pablo Milanes, Isaac Delgado, Mayito Rivera, Klimax and has participated in award-winning recordings such as “La Rumba Soy Yo”, which won a Latin Grammy in 2001. In 2000, he began playing with Omara Portuondo (Diva singer of Buena Vista Social Club) with whom he traveled around the world for 6 years. He has also played with important jazz musicians abroad, including Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, Wayne Shorter, and many others.
Upon his arrival to Vancouver in March 2006, Miguelito Valdes noted that Vancouver, and in fact Canada, was being deprived of the joy that true traditional Cuban music is, and decided to bring his love for music to an already vibrant Vancouver latin music scene. Miguelito combined his talent with that of five other Cuban musicians already settled in Vancouver. Together, they formed one of the most popular Cuban Bands in the city, Puro Son. In one short year the group has already played at many festivals across Canada, and shared the stage with international Puerto Rican star Gilberto Santa Rosa. Miguelito Valdes y Puro Son is his wife, Cynthia Rodriguez (Piano), Arianne Charon (Double Bass),Jesus Hierrezuelos (Bongo), Juan Carlos (Chocolate) Gonzalez (Congas).
Cynthia Rodriguez was born in Havana, Cuba. She began studying music in her native town of Guanabacoa when she was 8 years old at the Elementary School of Music “Guillermo Tomas” (1985-1992) and continued at the Provincial Conservatory of Music “Amadeo Roldan” (1992-1997). In 1996 she started playing with the orchestra of the famed "Cabaret Tropicana" (1996-2000). In 2000 she joined the well known female band D'talle with which she toured for 6 years. In 2001, Cynthia shared the stage with Azul Azul, La Makina, and Oscar De Leon at the Telelatino Carnaval in Montreal and Toronto. In 2003, Cynthia shared the stage with Angel Lopez of Son by Four and James 'Da Barba' of DLG. Cynthia is currently working at the well respected music store "Long & McQuade" in Vancouver, and has become very busy playing occasional gigs with local jazz and latin bands.
Arianne Milhet Charon was born in Havana, Cuba. At the age of 9, she started studying music in one of the most prestigious elementary schools of the city, "Alejandro Garcia Caturla". Later, she transfered to the Amadeo Roldan Music Conservatory which was due to her excellent musical development in previous years. After graduating, Arianne began to show a special interest in playing bass guitar, and eventually, became a featured member of a professional Cuban band named "Las Cecilias" which for the first time introduced her to the Tradicional-Music-World. Arianne shared the stage with well known bands in Cuba such as "Bamboleo", "Charanga Forever", "Klimax" and "NG la Banda". Now she lives in Vancouver, Canada and has written music for local musicians and bands such as Richard Aloysius, Myles Biguelow, Soul Sistas and Puro Son. Arianne has been driven by the music world her whole life, and writes her own lyrics which mostly reflect her life experiences and feelings.
Jesus Hierrezuelos, Bongos & Percussion. Born in Santiago de Cuba. He has played with Sonora Kings, La Clave, BC Salsa, and many other local groups.