José Luis Cortés González

Highly renowned flutist, arranger, composer, and music producer. Precursor of "timba," he boasts major musical successes. Master and creator of the "new school" of singers and flutists of Cuban popular music.

From a very young age he displayed unusual aptitudes for music and dance. He studied in schools and institutes in Havana where he developed his talent until becoming one of the essential figures in Cuban music. He joined important groups as a flutist such as Los Van Van and Irakere, until in 1988 he founded (along with other talented musicians) the orchestra Nueva Generación (N.G.)-Todos Estrellas.

In parallel to his work as a flutist, he developed as a composer, arranger, and music producer and has over 38 award-winning recordings that have received critical acclaim.

With N.G. La Banda, José Luis (El Tosco) has created a new and vigorous sound in contemporary Cuban music, and the treatment of the lyrics in his songs have reflected the feelings of broad popular sectors. His arrangements have allowed him to create a perfectly distinguishable style and have made N.G. La Banda be considered one of the most important musical groups of all time.

Born in Santa Clara, Villa Clara, from childhood he showed unusual aptitudes for music and dance. At age 16 he began working with the orchestra Los Van Van, of which he was a founder. Later, due to his development as an instrumentalist, the maestro Chucho Valdés called him to join the ensemble Irakere. In that group he worked simultaneously on various wind instruments and composed works that became popular.

He joined important groups as a flutist that left their mark on the Cuban musical staff.

In 1988 he founded with other talented musicians the orchestra Nueva Generación NG La Banda. In almost 20 years of work, his arrangements for the brass section have been significant, identified by specialized critics as the "terror brass" and the creation of its own sound: Cuban Timba. He has over 40 award-winning recordings that have received critical acclaim.

Catalogued as a V.I.P. author of the Spanish General Authors Society (SGAE), he has been the director of different productions by that institution, standing out the one called "Entre Bárbara y Changó," with Rosario Flores and the tribute to Nicolás Guillén.

He is the musical director, orchestrator, and arranger of the Cuban music competition Adolfo Guzmán, musical director of different television programs such as: "Para no salir de casa," as well as musical director and music creator for various Japanese, French, and Cuban films.

His music has been of interest to film directors and writers in Cuba and in various countries of America, Europe, and Asia, using this phenomenon as a basis to create their works. Notable are the Cuban film "Entre ciclones" by director Enrique Molina and the telenovela "Perro amor" from Colombia.

His work has earned him the title of "Illustrious Son of Villa Clara," his native city, as well as receiving the key and insignias from other cities. He also received a special edition in the newspaper Tribuna de La Habana. He possesses an intense international career spanning performances on the most demanding stages in the world of jazz and popular dance music in more than 55 countries.

International Tours
The intense international career of NG La Banda encompasses performances on prestigious stages in various nations such as:

United States, Canada, Argentina, Mexico, Japan, Morocco, France, Italy, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Greece, Colombia, Brazil, Panama, England, Switzerland, Sweden, Finland, Puerto Rico, Germany, Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Martinique, Bulgaria, Portugal, Guadeloupe, Peru, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Holland, Belgium.

In all of them they have received great reception, which has allowed them to perform on different occasions. They have also participated in numerous and important jazz and salsa festivals, among others:

Lincoln Center (New York)
Montreux (Jazz Festival)
Festival Soneros Santa Coloma
Nijmegen (Jazz Festival)
Divina Pastora Festival
Madrid Salsa Festival
New Morning
Hot Brass
Palladium de Roma
Terraza América
Bellas Artes (Madrid)
Nagasaki (Huisten Bosch)
Televisa "En la Noche" TV, program with Oscar de León, Willie Colón and Eddy Santiago, Mexico City
Nice Jazz and Armada Do Jazz (Normandy)
Meze Jazz Festival
Orbetello Jazz Festival
Nice (Jazz Festival)
Festival Soneros de Tenerife
Frankfurt Salsa Festival
North Sea Festival
Puerto Rico Salsa Festival
Guadeloupe (Jazz Festival)
Coupole (Paris)
El Molino
CPM: Ronnie Scott
Paradiso
Club 4 Osaka and Tokyo
Hibiya Amphitheater (Tokyo)
They also performed at Paleo
Jazz Festival (Nyon)
Bordeaux Jazz Festival
La Spezia Jazz Festival
Latin American Festival of Rome
Festival Caliente (Switzerland)
Pole Pole Festival (Belgium)
Jazz Festival (Denmark)
Awards Received

He was the winner of the 41st International Fair of Cali, Colombia and performed at the Royal Palace of the King of Morocco, Mohamed VI by his invitation.