The Sunshine Coast has long been seen as a launch pad for original musical talent, as well as a destination for musicians hoping to exercise their burgeoning abilities. It is with much appreciation for the planners at the Roberts Creek Hall that we welcome Puro Son back to the Coast to wow us with their great Cuban beat!

Heading this rhythmic group is Miguelito Valdes (horn) whose performing path has crossed with the Cabaret Tropicana Orquestra, Pablo Milanes, Isaac Delgado, all well-respected artists in Cuba. In 2000 Miguelito started playing with Omara Portuondo who many will recognize from the Buena Vista Social Club, a group popularized by the movie and accompanying soundtrack of the same name. This partnership lasted six years, and the two travelled the globe delivering great Cuban music for those than needed uplifting. Additional influences and accompanying performers have been Michael Brecker, Herbie Hancock, John Patitucci, Danilo Perez, and Wayne Shorter, although this is just the tip of the iceburg.

In August 2006 Miguelito came to Vancouver with aspirations of performing his wonderful Cuban music for a multicultural country that was lacking it. This niche welcomed him warmly, and his band has seen their popularity skyrocket taking them across the continent and finally convincing Puro Son to release their first album. The band includes five others: Jesus Hierrezuelos (bongos), Eddy Labrada (congas), and three beautiful women who have lived in BC for a few years performing as the all-female group D’Talle.

Sahili Gonzalez Zamora is the lead vocalist of Puro Son, and although she and her band-mates from D’Talle look like cover models, she has a powerful voice. Having graduated from the National School of Art College in Havana, Cuba(ENA), Sahili performed in different bands as a keyboardist, developing her ability (and affinity) for salsa and latin jazz. She and Arianne Milhet Charon are members of Puro Son, D’Talle, and Soul Sistas, which is developing its own demo. With her rapacious appetite for performing amazing Cuban music Sahili has seen her fair share of festivals, including: Nuits d’ Afrique in Montreal; the TLN Carnival Fest in Montreal and Toronto; and the Toronto Street Festival and the Beaches International Jazz Festivals in Ontario.

Arianne Charon plays double bass guitar for Puro Son, D’Talle, Soul Sistas, and a fair amount of friends who rely heavily on her for the difficult stringed heartbeat of their music. She learned music at a young age, and pursued it at the Amadeo Roldan Music Conservatory. Graduation allowed her to investigate different musical interests such as the bass guitar, and her willingness to learn the instrument caused her to join bands such as Las Cecilias, and to play alongside Bamboleo, Charanga Forever, Climax and NG la Banda in Cuba. Since coming to Canada Arianne has developed abilities in writing lyrics and composing music for Richard Aloysius, Myles Biguelow, Soul Sistas and Puro Son. As she writes from her own feelings and experiences it is possible the Sunshine Coast might figure in a future song…

Cynthia Rodriguez (piano) started studying music when she was eight years old, and has never stopped living it. After finishing her studies at the Provincial Conservatory of Music, Cynthia started performing in the orchestra of the Cabaret Tropicana. It was at this point she joined with the group D’Talle and toured with them all around the continent, eventually setting up base in Vancouver. When her husband, Miguelito Valdes, formed the group Puro Son she was ready with full support, both with tickling the keys to acting as the band’s manager. Through her efforts they have shown up at venues all over the Lower Mainland, as well as riding the ferry to the Sunshine Coast so music lovers from Roberts creek and all up and down the coast can get an earful of their wonderful tunes.

Puro Son and the Roberts Creek Hall invite you to listen and dance on Saturday, May 31st to some great Cuban music!

May 31st, Saturday evening
Roberts Creek Hall, Puro Son performance
June 13, Friday at 7PM - 1AM
Miguelito Valdes y Puro Son – Ahi na’ ma CD Release party
Polish Community Centre, 4015 Fraser St, Vancouver
$20 in advance, or $25 at the door – all tickets include a copy of Puro Son’s new CD

For more information contact Melanie Vizcaino at melanie@puroson.com or check out: www.miguelitovaldes.com
www.soulsistas.ca
www.myspace.com/purosoncuba