Department of Pensions, Govt of Cuba
With an average age of 97, these evergreen Cuban musicians never fail to charm. Band leader Hector ‘Jamon’ Gonzalez doesn’t look a day over 90, and once lowered into position plays the piano like a man at least five years younger.
The rest of the band was on good form too. Carlos ‘Espinaca’ Espinosa remains in fine voice; his trademark vibrato still makes me cramp. And what drummer Tony ‘Tamales’ Hernandez lacks in strength, rhythm and pulmonary health, he certainly makes up for in wearing a hat. Raul ‘Relleno’ Ruiz’s trumpeting has suffered slightly since his operation, but give the man a break – one lung, no lips and still he blows.
In all, a joyful, rambunctious fiesta of old school Cuban rumba, only slightly marred by the sudden death of guitarist David ‘Dulce’ De Leche.
