Juan de Marcos & Afro Cuban All Stars

Without him, the legendary Buena Vista Social Club sessions would never have been possible: it was he who brought together the eminent greats of Cuban danzón music for recording sessions with Ry Cooder in the Panart studios.

But there’s more to Juan de Marcos than a life-long knowledge of Cuban music, he is also a gifted singer and "Tresero". The tres may look like a guitar but is actually a rhythm instrument. De Marco soaked up the tres at the “Rumbas de solar“, the all-night Rumba parties to which his father would take him. Later, he studied classical guitar at the National Conservatory of Music in Havana. He picked up tips from masters such as Vicente Gonzalez and Leopoldina Nunez. Since 1978, he has been leading bands on a mission to revive Cuban dance music, son and danzón. No wonder the the All Stars’ album, which was recorded parallel to Buena Vista Social Club, was nominated for a Grammy.

Traffic restrictions From 23 July, John-Foster-Dulles-Allee is closed to motorized traffic between Haus der Kulturen der Welt and Spreeweg. The Haus is still accessible to drivers coming from the direction of the Reichstag but parking is severely restricted. The 100 Bus route will be diverted to Straße des 17. Juni and there is a provisional bus stop “Haus der Kulturen der Welt”. More...