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 - Released by World Circuit on May 12, 1997
Songlines Five-star review16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Introducing
World - Released by World Circuit on May 12, 1997
The Qobuz Essential Discography16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Nuestra Cancion
Latin America - Released by Plaza Mayor Company, Ltd. on Dec 9, 2013
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Leyendas (Instrumental)
World - Released by Plus Music Records on Apr 5, 2016
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
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Classical Hymns for Solo Piano
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by The Piano Companion, LLC on Aug 15, 2015
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Dos grandes (Remasterizado)
Latin America - Released by Legacy Recordings on Jul 1, 1989
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Poco Loco
Anselmo Sacasas y Su Orquesta, Ruben Gonzalez, Cuso Mendoza
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Jun 16, 2009
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Foto de Mi Aldea
World - Released by Ruben Gonzalez on Jan 1, 2006
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Los Marcianos
Orquesta América del 55, Ruben Gonzalez
Jazz - Released by Tumbao Cuban Classics on Dec 17, 2008
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The Courage to Succeed
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by Made For Success on Dec 31, 2003
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Que No Se Acabe el Bongo
Conjunto Niagra, Ruben Gonzalez
Jazz - Released by Fresh Sound Records on Jun 16, 2009
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Brussel 1840 (Original Mix)
House - Released by Underground Avenue Records on Oct 16, 2011
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Becoming Unstoppable
Humour/Spoken Word - Released by Made For Success on Dec 31, 2003
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Soberano Dios
Ambient/New Age - Released by Kingdoms Records on May 22, 2020
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Tu Me Ayudaras
Miscellaneous - Released by Ruben Gonzalez on Apr 17, 2024
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let it play
Dance - Released by Global Groove Entertainment on Jul 11, 2022
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo -