Why do you think it is important to play in the United States, after all this time and after the barriers have been for you and other Cuban artists? What does it mean for you personally, professionally, and perhaps for Cuban music in general and, beyond, to the relations between Cuba and the United States?
For the United States has spent virtually the entire music world. I see myself as a musician, so many who have gone there. When I was young I drew cartoons and one of my role was to review MAD. I do not know whether we can find examples of early 60's, when the magazine had a fabulous team of illustrators like Jack Davis, Don Martin and Wallace Wood. Among them was prohibited, a Cuban cool. I never went to the West Coast and I am curious to know the area, which was part of Mexico. I have written two albums where angels appear and I would like to know the city well named. At the political level between the two countries, I see my visit as a step forward, because for 30 years did not give me visa. Hopefully relations move always in the direction of mutual respect.
Here in the United States, is the fact that the government U.S. has granted a visa to Silvio Rodríguez very symbolic - that is, although we have enjoyed the concerts of other Cuban musicians lately, his tour is the one that 'broke the ice' in a definitive manner. Apart from the desire to own this tour, you feel a responsibility to 'open road' for other Cuban musicians and artists in the U.S.?
I do not know to what extent this may be true, because lately I have traveled some orchestras, jazz and even singers. I think of Los Van Van, La Charanga Habanera, in Roberto Carcasses, in Carlos Varela. Today it emerged that he had been granted a visa to the group mix, Pablo Menendez, an American who lives in Cuba 40 years ago. I very much like that happen and I would very much like the American musicians were to Cuba more often.
Does it seem unfair that the Cuban artists are not paid for their gigs ordinary way under the law of the United States?
Of course it seems unfair. And yet it seems most unfair that Cubans can not use what they have earned by honest work, because if an American bank notes that reside in Cuba, confiscate your money in dollars, even if they have earned in the United States.
During the past decades the States embargo United has affected his career directly? (Economically or artistic)
20 years ago I drove the creation of three recording studios. To them I helped with what he had won in concerts outside of Cuba. At that time we could bring some equipment from England and elsewhere in Europe. Then, when we wanted to buy parts, it appeared that many were American and refused to sell it, for fear of economic sanctions. If a Cuban American software purchase sell it, but when you need to update you get a sign saying that U.S. laws do not. This year only two students may enter piano in each school of Cuban music and, in some only one. That is why economic adjustments imposed on us by the blockade. One type of wheelchairs for disabled children who can not buy directly, because U.S. patents. Others to pay us the purchase we will double or triple the cost. Anyone in my country has thousands of similar stories about the crash.
seems that this new openness to the Cuban musicians in the United States (unlike other times) may continue for the foreseeable future. How do you think this exchange may affect the long-term Cuban music (in terms of being more influenced by American music for example)?
Cuban music has proved indelible because it has had many influences and has always retained its essence. When the Trio Matamoros was recording in New Jersey, in the 30's, absorbed harmonic influences, but are continued are. When the Jazz Band came to Cuba, Perez Prado began to play the mambo and Benny started playing the montunos. The blues also influenced the Cuban bolero, but never mischaracterize. I think it's good that the music come together because of these contacts always get cool stuff. Gillespie Chano Pozo said he sailed to American jazz.
His songs each have their own message, but what is the message general would like to convey to American audiences during this tour?
really do not think about this visit in terms of a special message. I do not think being an artistic archetype, much less political. Of the many forms of music made in Cuba, I do trova, which is to say a poetic song. And in the ballad, I see myself as one of many that there were and there. If I have some voice of their own is because I worked hard and tried to beat me, like many other artists. I might like to think I'm a neighbor who comes to share his spirit, someone who comes with feelings of friendship and expects the same.
"After the years, and all the experiences of his career and his country, still believes that a better world is possible, and that music has the power to change things?
music and poetry does not have as much power as one might imagine after 20 years. But undoubtedly not be void or useless. Poetry and music can be very influential in human behavior, because they can be revealing, the same cognitive level than the sensory level. Art improvements to people that I have no doubt, and it is people that can change the world. We must give people a lot of art, so that people are as well inspired when making decisions. In this way a better world will closer to being possible. Does
memories of a specific moment in which I felt the power of a song?
A song I heard in a movie 10 years ago, I did quit. A song I got turned into a train museum was abandoned in a suburb of a city.
you have your own recording studio, I wish Studies. How does the study, type of activity often be there? Is it limited to their own projects, or is an open to other musicians? Hopefully
was built in two upper rooms of a small house. I brought the technology and tools and the state funded the refurbishment. I run it, but the studies are state property, like almost everything in Cuba. Only two days ago and Omara Portuondo Chucho Valdes were recording their second album together. The first recorded there also. A Chucho you like the piano, a Steinway & Son we brought in Hamburg. It recorded the complete piano by Harold Gramatges, while still living. Leo Brouwer recorded a part of "Homo Ludens" with us. Over 60% of the recordings we make are donations. We have been able to help students of music schools in need send demos to competitions; also troubadours without record labels, or performers who had never recorded an album. Our study is called May, also for being alternative.
What effect it seems to have been the creation of more studio and access to new recording technology in the last decade has had on the sound of Cuban music?
Although access to new technologies we have not been easy, the benefit I see is the fact that there are all these recordings that we have done. Among them there are some awards Granmys, and Cubadisco awards, recorded the same in Abdala studies than in studies Eusebio Delfin (city of Cienfuegos), or school wish. When in 100 years someone listen to recordings of these times, some will be that we did. These results are the best reward for me, because I lost a lot of songs about not having as shooting them.
just started Cubadisco fair .... Do you think that this new openness of the United States to Cuban artists can positively impact the Cuban music? On the other hand, would like to see more Americans playing and recording artists in Havana? Do you think this would be possible in the near future?
Among American musicians and Cubans has always been admired and even support. When in the late 70's Havana-Jam took place, they left a soundboard recording the Company of Cuba (EGREM) used for years. Much later, when we were making the first recordings in May and Abdala, we had an enthusiastic American collaborator, sound engineer John Fausty, who taught us the secrets of the technology we had just purchased. I hope that Americans can pass normally travel to Cuba, it would increase a lot of contacts and I think both parties would benefit.
you just launched its own blog - why write a blog?
I did it because he was visiting the blog of a Venezuelan troubadour and saw a sign that said do you want to do a blog? I went in and when I came to see had a blog itself. I was not sure what it was and I've come to realize little by little. The unfortunate thing is that sometimes, for work, spending days and no time to write anything. You try to say things that make sense, but without exaggeration, because I understand that the blog is a place to be in confidence, as between friends. It is a place where one can play God, because you can put on and remove what you decide. I have not been able to suppress a single adverse comment, that is. Dear God I've proven to be a fairly democratic.
In her latest album, there are reflections on the current Cuban reality. It has often been described to you as "The Voice of the Revolution" Cuban Do you feel comfortable with this description?
For nothing. The voice of the Cuban Revolution Fidel. And singing, it was Carlos Puebla. I share the principles that motivated the Revolution. So, I respect and I would say I feel as affectionate part, because I became a man to learn of the Revolution. I militiaman to 14 years, when the Bay of Pigs landing. At 30 I went to help the Angolans, when apartheid South Africa invaded them. These experiences dictated to me Songs of combat, but if you check my code does not find flattering praise or fanaticism. I've never tried to write political pamphlets, the taste for poetry that I have not let me. I am committed to the dignity of my people, who have spent a lot without yielding. And I have a very self-critical spirit.
I read that play in New York for the last time in 1978. Under what circumstances was organized that concert?
It was organized brigades "Antonio Maceo" (young Cubans who as children were brought to the United States) and "Venceremos" (American Friends of Cuba). It was on Broadway in a drama called Minskof, in July 1978 was finished revamping. The auditorium was completely full and the audience requested songs by their titles. I do not understand how this could be happening in the United States. Year and a half later, in February 1980, I sang in New York at Brooklyn Academy of Music. This time went with Pablo Milanés. It was a night when it snowed a lot and that delayed us two hours. We got a big surprise when we arrived, after 11, and found that the packed house waiting for us yet.
With which American artists would like to share the stage? Is there a possibility that will be a guest on the stage at Carnegie Hall?
know Barbara Dane, 40 years ago published the first album of my generation in the United States, on a label called "Imagine" Paredón Records. I know David Byrne, who 20 years ago was kind enough to publish an anthology of my songs. I also know Pete Seeger and Harry Belafonte, whom I keep unforgettable lessons. The truth is that I do not like bothering people. So it's likely to sing with my classmates, who are also very good musicians. This is the trio of Trovarroco plucked strings, the drummer and percussionist Oliver Valdes, and the flutist and clarinetist Niurka González. Do not miss them, they are very good.