Cuban Band at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama
In cooperation with Tourism Sector of the Ministry of Information and Culture, the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama Bahrain has recently welcomed one of the famous Cuban bands based in Lebanon, Son Cubano, to stay at the apartment.
Members of the band consisting Yudel Vergara Machado (drum), Eduardo Hernandez Batista (percussion), Jose Antonio Marot Moliner (bass), Roberto Exhevarria Hernandez (trumpet), Jose Ramon Nunez Rico (keyboard), Juan Carlos Estrada Benitez (vocalist) including an ethnic musician Imad Arbid from Lebanon stayed two nights at the Marriott Executive Apartments Manama and enjoyed sightseeing around the island.
Son Cubano was facilitated by the government of Bahrain to perform a collaborated show with Jose Galvez, the inspiring international Flamenco singer and guitar player from Spain, on 27 July 2009 in the Cultural Hall of Bahrain. "This performance was part of art and cultural happenings during the Bahrain Summer Program 2009, powered by the Ministry of Information and Culture, said the band vocalist Juan Carlos.
The band amazed the Cultural Hall audience by what they believe as "fusion music". "Like fusion cuisine, our fusion music is a perfect blend between Arabic, Flamenco and Cuban music," explained Juan who admitted would love to come back to Bahrain to continue the message of "Music as International Language".
The Director of Sales of Marriott Executive Apartments Manama, Marwan Haddad said the Marriott Executive Apartment is pleased to work with the government to promote the island as a tourist destination by accommodating musicians during their tour to the island. "It was our pleasure to welcome and serve Son Cubano Band, since they are promoting the Bahrain Summer Program 2009 which has a positive impact on the hotel industry, said Marwan Haddad.
Son Cubano is a style of music that originated in Cuba and gained worldwide popularity in the 1930s. Son combines the structure and elements of Spanish cancion and the Spanish guitar with African rhythms and percussion instruments of Bantu and Arara origin. Whilst, the Son Cubano Band is a musical band formed 20 years ago in Cuba. According to Juan, since 1999 his band moved to Beirut and started mixing the music with other musical styles to influence the creation of fusion.
