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Adonis Puentes opens up the marvelous world of Cuban music to his audiences the second they hear his rich voice. When the other players kick in with their tight, multilayered arrangements it becomes clear that Adonis is also a powerful bandleader. Fronting an all-Cuban acoustic orchestra, Adonis' vocals are surrounded by guitar, tres, piano, bass, trumpet and percussion.
Music reflects the present and Adonis Puentes is a Cuban Sonero for our times.
It’s a role he was destined to play. On March 29th, 1974, Adonis was born into an atmosphere charged with Cuban music. His family lived 45 miles southwest of Havana, Cuba in the town of Artemisa. Father, Valentin Puentes taught music and played guitar, and he wasted little time before passing on his gifts to Adonis and his fraternal twin brother, Alexis (aka Alex Cuba). Already at the age of 6, Adonis was playing with a Children’s Guitar Ensemble formed by Valentin. By the time he was 14, he was singing and writing his own music.
Adonis Redlands Bowl from Creative Media HD on Vimeo.
Though his musical talents were undeniable, his ability to shine as a performer emerged later still. At 21, Adonis entered and became one of the finalists of ‘Mi Salsa’, a Salsa/Son singing competition that was broadcast throughout Cuba on television. His performance caught the attention of the nation and his notoriety began to soar.
Three years after an initial tour of Canada with his brother and father in 1995, Adonis came back to start a new life as a proud Cuban-Canadian. Along with his brother Alexis (now an accomplished multi-instrumentalist), The Puentes Brothers would record their first CD called Morumba Cubana. The disc caught the ears of the Canadian music industry that rewarded the brothers in 2001 with a Juno Award nomination (the Canadian Grammy), as well as a West Coast Music Award and a Canadian Independent Music Award.
After such a warm reception in his adopted home, Adonis was ready to take a giant step forward toward the realization of his personal musical vision. In 2005, he released his first solo album called ‘Vida’ or ‘Life’. Containing a diverse and dance-friendly collection of original, contemporary takes on Cuban tradition, radio programmers nationally began spinning their favorites and Vida ended up on many Top 10 charts. The video single for ‘Commerciante’ entered Much More Music’s Top 5. In his West Coast home, Adonis received the Island Music Award for Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. Canada’s National broadcasting service, the CBC, recorded Adonis LIVE for a national audience. And, his growing reputation as a gifted singer spread South as well as he continued to tour and perform on radio, television and in concert in the USA.
The work has been done; the skills have been learned and now is the time for Adonis Puentes to add a fresh voice to the list of great Cuban soneros. As if to receive one final, ringing endorsement, Adonis recorded lead vocals with Legendary Percussionist Orestes Vilato whose album ‘It’s About Time’ received a Latin Grammy Nomination in 2009.
Even Juan de Marcos, one of the masterminds behind the Buena Vista Social Club project and leader of the groundbreaking Afro-Cuban Allstars calls Adonis, ‘Verdadero Sonero,’ ‘A True Sonero’. To date, Adonis has shared stages with illustrious Latin music legends like Celia Cruz, Oscar De Leon, Juan De Marcos and The Afro Cuban All Stars, Paquito De Rivera, Eddie Palmieri, Orlando Valle ‘Maraca,’ Cuban Timba All Stars, Giovanni Hidalgo, Pianist Hilario Duran, Jane Bunnett and Pancho Quinto, as well as Jazz greats Hubert Laws, and Kenny Burrell.
Adonis thrives on the growth and acclaim for his original sonero sound. As he puts it, “I feel like a messenger of my roots and tradition, blessed that with me I have taken my music and heritage to many different places in the world; from Cuba, to Canada, USA, Mexico, Europe. My mission is to make you dance and enjoy my melodies and rhythms.” His music bridges generations and cultures with a charisma and delivery that shines brighter than life in intimate or full-blown arrangements, from solo performances with piano or guitar accompaniment to fronting orchestras. Throughout history, these traits have been characteristic to the great soneros and this is the time for Adonis Puentes.
Born January 10, 1980 in the province of Cien Fuegos, Cuba, Carlos Frank started to study music in 1989 at the Concervatory Manuel Saumel of Cienfuegos City. In 1994 he was accepted to the National School of Music in Havana, where he concluded his studies in 1998 before moving on to the prestigious Institute of Superior Arts in Havana, graduating in 2003.
Following his studies he began to perform with different groups in Cienfuegos and Havana, including famous Buenavista Social Club Laud player Barbarito Torres y Su Piquete Cubano, travelling and recording Nationally and Internationally visiting Italy, France, Spain, the United States and Brazil to name a few. Carlos Frank has also toured with Aramis Galindo and his orchestra, spending time in Peru, and also joining Aramis in the recording studio.
Carlos Frank is also an experienced music professor, specializing in Trumpet, teaching at the Benny More Provincial Music School in Cienfuegos.
"The new work from Adonis Puentes will surprise many. The variety of the songs, excellent and original arrangements, and the superlativce quality of the musicians, produce a record that I consider one of the best I have listened to in some time. I hope 'Sabor A Café' finds the audince it deserves. An excellent album I recommend with all my heart. Congratulations Adonis!"
~ Ruben Blades
"It's a sensuous, [profound recording with dramatic arrangements and a crystal clear studio sound. Adonis Puentes is a great singer and an elegant composer and lyricist grounded and nourished by his Cuban roots and worldy experience. Sabor a Café is a modern, Cuban masterpiece." ~ Joseph Blake
"It is an album you like from the very first listen, but it keeps growing on you. The more you listen to it, the more enjoyable it becomes. It was created with a winning formula: original compositions richly imbued with tradition; superb arrangements with an international flavor; a world class band that delivers with great precision; witty, intelligent lyrics inspired by everyday life and by the greatest power of all; Love." ~ Latin Jazz Network
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2024
April 27 McIntyre Hall, Mt. Vernon WA
Adonis Puentes & the Voice of Cuba has open availability for the 2024-2025 season.
Adonis Puentes splits his time between Cuba and Victoria, B.C. He works with orchestras in Victoria, Los Angeles, Toronto and New York.He is currently recording his 3rd CD. He tours North America on an on-going basis.
