ALAIN PEREZ MUSICIAN & BAND LEADER
FANTASTIC CUBAN MUSICIAN
When the name Alain Perez became popular in Havana, everyone asked, who is this guy?
Honestly, there are very few musicians who inspire me when it comes time to write, unless I can identify with their music. Alain is Cuban, he has great style, a great voice, but who is he?
Long pony tail, a walking cane, and the ability to play any instrument, made me wonder, where did this guy come from? (In a good way!!!)
It was like a modern version of Benny More, Cuba’s most popular musician. Alain was born in Manacas Iznaga, a small town near Trinidad, in the Cuban province of Sanctis Spiritus. He comes from a happy family, one that was inspired musically by Cuba’s punto guajiro, tonada, guaracha, and Son. The first musician to make an impression on him was his father, but his aunt, grandmother, and just about everyone in the family “played a little.” His father was a genuine poet, a man of letters and songs, writing was in his blood. He was a gregarious man, a simple man, who was as likely to play a song by Juan Manuel Serrat as a Cuban decima. His father lit the musical spark in the young musician, who by the age of seven was playing the guitar. His first cousin should him how to play his first chords, and the Cuban punto guajiro. His first performances were at family get-togethers, with the roast pork, the rum, and the partying. Then came presentations at school, where he played songs by Pablo Milanes of his own father.
Without realizing it he was in the eye of the storm, he distilled music! His natural talent never faded, and his abilities and love of music only grew.
When he first appeared, no one knew he had composed for Celia Cruz, Paco de Lucia, Issac Delgado, and even Chucho Valdes.
This unknown musician had the mojo to make everyone dance. I am one of these people, Cubans who are moved by his music. I attend as many of his performances as I can, and I have his album “Hablando con Juana,” and I have already heard his latest CD, “AND.”
Alain Perez is the real deal!!!
Trust me, anyone who visits Havana and does not attend one of his performances is missing out on an important part of Cuban music!
By Clao York