Guitarist, vocalist and composer Luis Mario Ochoa’s fifth album is a heartfelt tribute to the composer known as “the Gershwin of Cuba.”
Born in Cuba and now based in Miami (via Toronto), Ochoa has just released his latest recording Forever Lecuona, featuring 10 beloved compositions by the world-renowned Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, presented in a concert-style recital program.
As the primary force behind the emergence of Cuban music around the world in the early 20th century, Lecuona’s compositions encapsulated the spirit of Cuban, African and Spanish influences, producing a library of music across multiple genres including popular songs, solo piano compositions, and music for theatre, ballet and opera.
Ochoa joined us on Café Latino for a conversation about the making of Forever Lecuona and his career so far.