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
-
Introducing (Deluxe Edition)
Wereldmuziek - Released by World Circuit on 12 mei 1997
Songlines Five-star review16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Introducing
Wereldmuziek - Released by World Circuit on 12 mei 1997
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Chanchullo
Wereldmuziek - Released by World Circuit on 19 sep. 2000
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Nuestra Cancion
Latijns-Amerika - Released by Plaza Mayor Company, Ltd. on 9 dec. 2013
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Leyendas (Instrumental)
Wereldmuziek - Released by Plus Music Records on 5 apr. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classical Hymns for Solo Piano
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by The Piano Companion, LLC on 15 aug. 2015
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Dos grandes (Remasterizado)
Latijns-Amerika - Released by Legacy Recordings on 1 jul. 1989
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Canta Ruben Gonzalez
Anselmo Sacasas y Su Orquesta, Ruben Gonzalez
Wereldmuziek - Released by Int - Bertus on 22 nov. 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Poco Loco
Anselmo Sacasas y Su Orquesta, Ruben Gonzalez, Cuso Mendoza
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 16 jun. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
-
La Libertad
Wereldmuziek - Released by Ruben Gonzalez on 6 jan. 2010
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Canta Ruben Gonzalez (Recorded New York 1946-1949) (Remastered)
Latijns-Amerika - Released by RevOla on 26 aug. 2022
24-Bit 96.0 kHz - Stereo -
Foto de Mi Aldea
Wereldmuziek - Released by Ruben Gonzalez on 1 jan. 2006
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Los Marcianos
Orquesta América del 55, Ruben Gonzalez
Jazz - Released by Tumbao Cuban Classics on 17 dec. 2008
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
The Courage to Succeed
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by Made For Success on 31 dec. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Que No Se Acabe el Bongo
Conjunto Niagra, Ruben Gonzalez
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on 16 jun. 2009
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Brussel 1840 (Original Mix)
House - Released by Underground Avenue Records on 16 okt. 2011
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Becoming Unstoppable
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by Made For Success on 31 dec. 2003
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Soberano Dios
Ambient / New Age / Easy Listening - Released by Kingdoms Records on 22 mei 2020
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tu Me Ayudaras
Divers - Released by Ruben Gonzalez on 17 apr. 2024
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
let it play
Dance - Released by Global Groove Entertainment on 11 jul. 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo