Buena Vista Social Club Stars To Tour North America

By archive-Will-Comerford

January 25, 2000 / 11:21 PM

Buena Vista Social Club singer Ibrahim Ferrer and pianist Rubén González will tour North America beginning Jan. 31 in Boston.

The two stars of the Grammy award–winning 1997 album will perform in separate sets, each backed by his own band, on the February outing. Before the Feb. 23 show in Los Angeles, Ferrer will stop by the Grammy Awards for a special performance.

Ferrer and González began their careers in Cuba in the 1940s. With a handful of other musicians, the two veteran performers achieved international fame with the release of the Buena Vista Social Club album — a collection of traditional Cuban music. The LP, which achieved platinum status, was followed by a 1999 Wim Wenders documentary about the musicians, also called "Buena Vista Social Club."

The 82-year-old González, who released Introducing ... Rubén González in 1998, helped pioneer the sound of Afro-Cuban jazz. He is known for his freewheeling, improvisational style on songs such as "Buena Vista Social Club" (RealAudio excerpt).

Ferrer, 72, had not been active in music for years when he was invited to sing on Buena Vista Social Club, a project organized by U.S. guitarist Ry Cooder and World Circuit Records. Ferrer's vocal contributions to such songs as "El Cuarto de Tula" (RealAudio excerpt) vaulted him to international recognition. He released a solo album in 1999 — Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer.

Accompanying both performers on the trek will be singer Omara Portuondo, who also appeared in the documentary. Her debut album is due in the spring.

Ibrahim Ferrer and Rubén González tour dates:

Jan. 31–Feb. 1; Boston, Mass; Orpheum Theater

Feb. 3; Newark, N.J.; New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Feb. 4–5; New York, N.Y.; Beacon Theatre

Feb. 7; Washington, D.C.; D.A.R. Constitution Hall

Feb. 8; Baltimore, Md.; Symphony Hall

Feb. 10; Atlanta, Ga.; Rialto Theater

Feb. 12; New Orleans, La.; Saenger Theatre

Feb. 14; Austin, Texas; Bass Concert Hall

Feb. 15; Houston, Texas; Jones Hall

Feb. 18; Los Angeles, Calif.; Wiltern Theatre