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Afro-Cuban All Stars is a unique orchestra devoted to promoting the full range of Cuban music, one that embraces several generations and all musical styles. Over the years many of the band’s musicians have become international stars, including such brilliant performers as Rubén González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Guillermo Rubalcaba, Amadito Valdés and Manuel “The Guajiro” Mirabal. Led by Juan de Marcos, the project was born as a result of his work with the acclaimed Cuban “son” band Sierra Maestra. Receiving the go-ahead from World Music Records president Nick Gol, to produce an album celebrating the classic Cuban sound of the ‘50s featuring a multigenerational group of musicians, Juan de Marcos recorded A toda Cuba le gusta in 2006 featuring nearly 60 performers. Then, alongside American guitarist Ry Cooder, he produced the first Buena Vista Social Club album. And the rest, as they say, is history. After several years of success – including four Grammy nominations, being the subject of several documentaries and films, and recipients of many other distinctions – the Afro-Cuban All Stars is today, alongside Los Van Van and Irakere, one of the best-known and most successful Cuban orchestras in the world.
