Vieja Trova Santiaguera

Vieja Trova Santiaguera is the living embodiment of a musical tradition with its roots in the 19th century. Among the five incredibly youthful members of this group are veterans of the most renowned musical groups from Santiago de Cuba, such as the Cuarteto Patria, La Estudiantina Invasora and the duet Los Compadres. Together this quintet carries with it the history of music from the eastern half of Cuba, particularly of boleros and sones. Although all were retired both from music and from their varied jobs as bricklayers, cabinetmakers, luthiers (string instrument-makers) etc., they were excited by the idea of creating a new group to perform these old songs and recorded this, their self-titled debut.

Dedicated to the establishment which has become their residence in Madrid, it is the third and last of the albums recorded by the original quintet. Amado Machado and Pancho Cobas decided to retire permanently at 85 years of age. They had achieved all anyone could ever hope to. —Courtesy Calabash Music