Ruben Gonzalez
Rubén González was one of the last of Cuba's great Afro-Cuban piano players. Although he had played and recorded with the band led by Enrique Jorrín, the creator of the cha-cha, for a quarter of a century, he had retired from music by the mid-'80s. Things began to change when González recorded with the Afro-Cuban All Stars in 1996. The album, A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, released the following year, helped to inspire an international fascination for Afro-Cuban music and brought González to the attention of a global audience. His performance on the Ry Cooder-produced album Buena Vista Social Club made him an international phenomenon. Signing a contract with Cooder's label, World Circuit, González released his debut solo album, Introducing...Ruben Gonzalez, at the age of 78.
Showing great promise, as a pianist, from an early age, González graduated from the Cienfuegos Conservatoire in 1934. Although he briefly attended medical school, hoping to become a doctor, the lure of music proved unsurmountable. Leaving school, González moved to Havana to become a full-time musician in 1941. After recording with influential multi-instrumentalist Arsenio Rodriguez, González joined Orquestra de los Hermanos, a group featuring Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria. Following an extended period in Panama and Argentina, during which he worked with tango musicians, he returned to Havana and played with a series of cabaret bands. In the early '60s, González joined Enrique Jorrín's band, remaining with the group until Jorrín's death. Although he assumed leadership of the band, González was forced, by arthritis, to announce his retirement. He maintained a low-key presence until 1996. During his return, however, González enjoyed the fame that was long overdue; he released two albums in the U.S, including 1997's Introducing... and 2000's Chanchullo. The octogenarian pianist died in December of 2003 in his home of Havana, Cuba.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
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Introducing (Deluxe Edition)
World Music - Erschienen bei World Circuit am 12.05.1997
Songlines Five-star review16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Introducing
World Music - Erschienen bei World Circuit am 12.05.1997
Qobuz’ Schallplattensammlung16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chanchullo
World Music - Erschienen bei World Circuit am 19.09.2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nuestra Cancion
Lateinamerika - Erschienen bei Plaza Mayor Company, Ltd. am 09.12.2013
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Leyendas (Instrumental)
World Music - Erschienen bei Plus Music Records am 05.04.2016
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Classical Hymns for Solo Piano
Hörbücher - Erschienen bei The Piano Companion, LLC am 15.08.2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dos grandes (Remasterizado)
Lateinamerika - Erschienen bei Legacy Recordings am 01.07.1989
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Canta Ruben Gonzalez
Anselmo Sacasas y Su Orquesta, Ruben Gonzalez
World Music - Erschienen bei Int - Bertus am 22.11.2016
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Poco Loco
Anselmo Sacasas y Su Orquesta, Ruben Gonzalez, Cuso Mendoza
Jazz - Erschienen bei Fresh Sound Records am 16.06.2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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La Libertad
World Music - Erschienen bei Ruben Gonzalez am 06.01.2010
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Canta Ruben Gonzalez (Recorded New York 1946-1949) (Remastered)
Lateinamerika - Erschienen bei RevOla am 26.08.2022
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Foto de Mi Aldea
World Music - Erschienen bei Ruben Gonzalez am 01.01.2006
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Los Marcianos
Orquesta América del 55, Ruben Gonzalez
Jazz - Erschienen bei Tumbao Cuban Classics am 17.12.2008
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The Courage to Succeed
Hörbücher - Erschienen bei Made For Success am 31.12.2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Que No Se Acabe el Bongo
Conjunto Niagra, Ruben Gonzalez
Jazz - Erschienen bei Fresh Sound Records am 16.06.2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brussel 1840 (Original Mix)
House - Erschienen bei Underground Avenue Records am 16.10.2011
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Becoming Unstoppable
Hörbücher - Erschienen bei Made For Success am 31.12.2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Soberano Dios
Verschiedenes - Erschienen bei Kingdoms Records am 22.05.2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tu Me Ayudaras
Verschiedenes - Erschienen bei Ruben Gonzalez am 17.04.2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
let it play
Dance - Erschienen bei Global Groove Entertainment am 11.07.2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo