Alex Cuba
Encyclopedia
Alexis Puentes better known by his stage name Alex Cuba, is a Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter
who sings in Spanish and English. He has won two Juno Award
s for World Music Album of the Year
: in 2006 for Humo De Tabaco, and in 2008 for his second album, Agua Del Pozo. In 2010 he won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist.
, the son of guitar player and music teacher Valentin Puentes. He started playing guitar himself at age six. As an adult, he shifted into jazz fusion
styles. He immigrated to Canada in 1999 after marrying a Canadian in Cuba. He and his twin brother Adonis first settled in Victoria, British Columbia
, and worked as a duo, the Puentes Brothers, and received a Juno Award nomination. They started solo careers in 2004, but continued their songwriting partnership, with Adonis co-writing two of the songs on Agua Del Pozo. In 2003, Cuba moved to Smithers, British Columbia
, the hometown of his wife, Sarah, whose father is politician Bill Goodacre
. They have three children.
Collaborators on his debut, Humo De Tabaco, include Ron Sexsmith
and Corinne Bailey Rae
. "Lo Mismo Que Yo," a duet with Sexsmith, became a hit in the UK Singles Chart
, reaching #52.
In 2009, he co-wrote and recorded a duet with fellow Canadian Nelly Furtado
. "Mi Plan" turned out to be the title track for her fourth studio album of the same name
. Cuba co-wrote more than half of the songs on Furtado's album.
His music reflects primarily Latin and African influences, but with a mix of funk, jazz and pop.
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
who sings in Spanish and English. He has won two Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
s for World Music Album of the Year
Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year
The Juno Award for "World Music Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1992, as recognition each year for the best world music album in Canada...
: in 2006 for Humo De Tabaco, and in 2008 for his second album, Agua Del Pozo. In 2010 he won the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist.
Biography
Cuba was born in Cuba, spending his childhood in ArtemisaArtemisa
Artemisa is a municipality and city in Cuba, formerly part of La Habana Province.According to a law approved by the Cuban National Assembly in August 2010, Artemisa became the capital city of the newly formed Artemisa Province, which comprises 8 municipalities of the former La Habana Province and 3...
, the son of guitar player and music teacher Valentin Puentes. He started playing guitar himself at age six. As an adult, he shifted into jazz fusion
Jazz fusion
Jazz fusion is a musical fusion genre that developed from mixing funk and R&B rhythms and the amplification and electronic effects of rock, complex time signatures derived from non-Western music and extended, typically instrumental compositions with a jazz approach to lengthy group improvisations,...
styles. He immigrated to Canada in 1999 after marrying a Canadian in Cuba. He and his twin brother Adonis first settled in Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia, Canada and is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island off Canada's Pacific coast. The city has a population of about 78,000 within the metropolitan area of Greater Victoria, which has a population of 360,063, the 15th most populous Canadian...
, and worked as a duo, the Puentes Brothers, and received a Juno Award nomination. They started solo careers in 2004, but continued their songwriting partnership, with Adonis co-writing two of the songs on Agua Del Pozo. In 2003, Cuba moved to Smithers, British Columbia
Smithers, British Columbia
Smithers is a town located in northwestern British Columbia, Canada, approximately halfway between Prince George and Prince Rupert. Smithers is located in the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako....
, the hometown of his wife, Sarah, whose father is politician Bill Goodacre
Bill Goodacre
Bill Goodacre is a former Canadian politician, who represented the electoral district of Bulkley Valley-Stikine in the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia from 1996 to 2001. He was a member of the New Democratic Party.- References :...
. They have three children.
Collaborators on his debut, Humo De Tabaco, include Ron Sexsmith
Ron Sexsmith
Ronald Eldon "Ron" Sexsmith is a Canadian singer-songwriter from St. Catharines, Ontario, currently based in Toronto. He started his own band when he was fourteen years old, and released the first recordings of his own material seven years later, in 1985...
and Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae
Corinne Bailey Rae is a British singer-songwriter and guitarist from Leeds, who released her debut album Corinne Bailey Rae in February 2006....
. "Lo Mismo Que Yo," a duet with Sexsmith, became a hit in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, reaching #52.
In 2009, he co-wrote and recorded a duet with fellow Canadian Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
. "Mi Plan" turned out to be the title track for her fourth studio album of the same name
Mi Plan
Mi Plan is the fourth studio album by Canadian recording artist Nelly Furtado and the first she has released in Spanish. It was first released on September 11, 2009 by Furtado's own record label, Nelstar Entertainment...
. Cuba co-wrote more than half of the songs on Furtado's album.
His music reflects primarily Latin and African influences, but with a mix of funk, jazz and pop.
Discography
- The Puentes Brothers:
- 2001: Morumba Cubana
- Solo:
- 2004: Humo De Tabaco
- 2007: Agua Del Pozo
- 2009: Alex CubaAlex Cuba (album)Alex Cuba is the third studio album released by Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter Alex Cuba. It was released in Canada in 2009, and in the US in 2010. The album was nominated for a Latin Grammy in 2010, for Best Male Pop Vocal Album...