Jose Zalba-Smith and Tradicional Cubano - Arriba Cuba Project

Tradicional Cubano
Jose Zalba-Smith flute, piano
Javier Zalba flute, clarinet
Daniel Carnago tres guitar
Adolfredo Pulido double bass
Sergio Marciano vocals, hand percussion

Compay Segundo Chan Chan
Ernesto Lecuona La Comparsa
Miguel Matamoros Son de La Loma
Javier Zalba Canción para un Clarinetista
Jose Maria Vitier Danza de Fin de Siglo
Rosendo Ruiz Rico Vacilón
Javier Zalba Mis Dos Hijos

Tradicional Cubano is a combination of flute, double bass, guitar (Cuban tres) and percussion, which brings together the most vibrant and iconic musical sounds from vintage Cuba. Its founder, Jose Zalba-Smith, son of Javier Zalba (former member of Irakere, Cubanismo and the Buena Vista Social Club Orchestra), is strongly committed to continue his father's legacy. Javier Zalba has strong links to the band and performs with them in both Cuba and the UK. On this occasion they are both performing live here at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. The group takes inspiration from composers such as Miguel Matamoros, Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, Sindo Garay, Benny More and many more.

They have performed in a wide range of venues across the UK including The Pumphouse, Aldeburgh Suffolk, The National Theatre, The Forge, The Cuban Moorgate, The Savoy, The  Langham, St James’s Church Piccadilly, St Peter’s Notting Hill, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Cardiff,  Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester and The Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable, to name but a few. Jose and the band are much in demand and as well as their performing, they also currently run highly successful educational music projects at colleges such as the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Royal Northern College of Music, Oxford Flute Summer School, Philippa Davies International Flute Summer School, The Scottish International Flute Summer School and here at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.