Cubanoson is a traditional Cuban dance orchestra created by pianist Leonel “Papo” Ortega. Their debut CD, Recordando A Cuba, consists of 10 selections of old style traditional Cuban music. It includes 3 compositions by composer Silvio Cebrián, (Monsieur José, En la Campiña and No Te Preocupes.) "Monsieur José" is a great tune with a new arrangement that contains French lyrics and coros, for Cubanoson’s French-speaking friends, and as a special treat, singer Ronnie Baro added his unmistakable voice and French verbiage to introduce this song.

The CD also includes new arrangements of Lágrimas Negras, composed by Miguel Matamoros, Que Mala Suerte, by Arsenio Rodríguez, and Mujeres de Mayarí, composed by Francisco Repilado known as Compay Segundo to the music world.

The last 4 songs are all original compositions. Son Bailadores, composed by Mario J. Ortiz with music by Papo Ortega, resulted in the creation of an old-style guaguancó. Two other songs, Guajiro Soy (a guajira), and the title track Recordando a Cuba, a tribute to the 6 original Cuban provinces, were co-written by Papo Ortega and Sergio Sori. Finally, the introductory song, Son Cubanoson is a son montuno written by Papo to introduce the Cubanoson orchestra to the world.

Leonel “Papo” Ortega is a musically inspired pianist and composer. He has enjoyed the privilege of working alongside several exceptional musicians, among them, Roberto Rodriguez, Chico Alvarez, Junior Rivera, José Fajardo and Cándido Camero. Cubanoson unites the Punto Cubano and the Son Montuno.

The purpose of this orchestra is to unite the talent and dedication of excellent contemporary musicians, (true exponents of our roots), to offer and express our traditional Cuban music to all cultural venues.

Buy Recordando A Cuba.