Eliades Ochoa

Eliades Ochoa is considered one of the most renowned Cuban “soneros” of all time, a notable celebrator of traditional Cuban music, and one of the best guitarists of his generation. His distinctive cowboy hat and his penchant for wearing black have led some to call him “The Cuban Johnny Cash.”

From a very young age, he began to play the guitar, taught by his parents who were of peasant origin. In his walks through “guateque” bars, and “zonas de tolerancia,” he began to learn the vast traditional repertoire of Cuban music, of which he is a teacher today. His musical style is due to his place of origin, the Cuban countryside, the anecdotes he listened to, the “guateques campesinos,” and a series of other elements that marked him and made him the artist he is today.

Eliades joined the Septeto Típico Oriental in 1969 and officially entered the Casa de la Trova in 1970, where he began to perform regularly. In 1982 he became part of the Cuarteto Patria as director, arranger, voice, and lead guitar. He influenced the group’s repertoire, keeping alive the tradition of Cuban folk music.

In the 80s, he participated with Compay Segundo and Cuarteto Patria in various artistic tours, and with him, he recorded the first version of “Chan Chan.” Eliades is one of the stars and founders of Buena Vista Social Club; with this album, he won his first Grammy for Best Tropical Latin Performance in 1997 and was nominated for an Oscar as part of the documentary film “Buena Vista Social Club”.

Among his most albums with Virgin Records, “Sublime Ilusión” features Charlie Musselwhite, David Hidalgo from Los Lobos and Ry Cooder and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Traditional Tropical and Latin Album. “Tributo al Cuarteto Patria” is an album that recognizes Pancho Cobas, founder of Cuartero Patia, and the troubadours and composers who have inspired Eliades Ochoa’s career. With this album, Eliades was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Traditional Tropical and Latin Performance.

In 2010 he recorded the album “Afrocubism” accompanied by his group Patria and important musicians from Mali. National Geographic recognised this album as the best world music album of that year, and in 2012 it was nominated for a Grammy. In 2012, he released the album “Un Bolero Para Ti,” which won four Latin Grammy Awards.

He has collaborated with stars including Enrique Bumbury, Luis Eduardo Aute, Manu Dibango, Jarabe de Palo, Blof Umoja, Charlie Musselwhite, Moncho, Armando Manzanero, Descemer Bueno, Pablo Milanés, among others. In 2013 he was selected to participate in a tribute to Bob Dylan.

In December 2018, “Eliades Ochoa from Cuba to the World” was released, a documentary about Eliades Ochoa’s artistic career directed and produced by Cynthia Biestek. The film won multiple awards and was presented at major film festivals worldwide.

More recently, Ochoa reissued his 2020 album “Vamos a Bailar un Son”, and recently collaborated with Spanish rapper C Tangana on the track “Muriendo de Envidia”. His brand new studio album “Guajiro” will be released May 26th.