'Classically Cuban Concert' with David Virelles: 'The danzón is Cubanness'

December 9, 2019

"Danzon is Cubanness," affirmed David Virelles, a praised jazz pianist and composer, who brought the wealth of the most famous danzones to the piano at the Classically Cuban Concert.

This annual event offered by the Cuban Research Center / Centro de Investigaciones Cubanas, CRI, of Florida International University, FIU, now celebrating 15 years of being founded, was offered last Sunday, December 8 at five in the afternoon at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center at FIU.

This year the concert was dedicated to the danzon, since "the danzon is considered one of the most representative and important genres of Cuban musical identity, and had great influence on other genres that developed later, such as mambo and cha-cha-cha," commented Virelles.

Furthermore, "it has a very particular musical form, and it left us the format of French charanga or típica that has so inspired creators. Many of our great composers and performers have ventured into this genre, from the Romeus to the López family (los Cachao), Arcaño, Chepín, Urfé, Caturla, Zenaida Manfugás, Chucho Valdés and Emiliano Salvador."

The danzon has a choreography that has allowed it to remain in the taste of many places outside of Cuba, such as Veracruz, in Mexico, and in regions of Spain.

"Dance, in general, has the power to suggest and point to new forms of interpretation in music," explained the pianist. "These new forms of interpretation eventually become stylistic contributions that can even lead to new genres."

Virelles was joined by drummer Hilario Bell, on timpani, an instrument used in the típica orchestra, and José Armando Gola on acoustic bass. It is the first time he has worked with them in the United States, although he has known Bell since he was a child in Santiago de Cuba and they worked together during that time. "Both are great musicians whom I admire very much and it seemed like the perfect occasion to share with them," he expressed.

In the program, Virelles and his accompanists offered diverse samples of the danzon. "We will perform classic danzones going through different eras and styles of this Cuban musical genre," noted the musician. "But our interpretations will have a personal touch, since we will integrate elements of improvisation and modern music into the danzon."

And what does he think of jazz in general? "Afro-American jazz is recognized worldwide as one of the musical wonders of the twentieth century, with great influence on a global level, difficult to quantify," he emphasized. "This music had and continues to have great impact on Cuban music, and vice versa."

In his opinion classical music is not only European, but all the folklore of peoples. "I like all classical music," he said. "But within this group I not only include the great European composers, I also consider classical the music of Afro-Cuban rituals and peasant music, traditional and popular Cuban music, jazz, the songs and ritual touches of Haiti or Salvador de Bahia, flamenco, the music of the roots of any culture or country."

Currently the pianist resides in New York, and performs in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Europe, and throughout the United States. His first concert in Miami was at the jazz radio station WDNA, in collaboration with Cuban painter Arturo Rodríguez. Born and raised in Santiago de Cuba, his entire family is musical. "My parents are musicians, my mother is a flutist and worked many years with the Symphony of the East, and was a teacher in the art schools in Santiago, and my father [José Aquiles] is a singer-songwriter and guitarist, with national and international recognition."

At 35 years old and away from the island since 2001, he confesses that he is not very aware of today's Cuban music, but defends the virtue and creativity of Cuban musicians of all times. "Many have not had recognition, and have even been forgotten, after having achieved great success and made important contributions to universal culture," he protested. "In addition to being a faithful follower and eternal student of the last representatives of our native music, young talents inspire me such as pianist Rolando Luna or the Santiago songwriter Maikel Dinza. But there are also many other names in the Cuban diaspora, with powerful representations in many cities of the world."

Named Rising Star number one in the Piano category by DownBeat in 2017, Virelles is also one of the recipients of the 2018 Cristobal Díaz Ayala Travel Grant, among many honors received in Canada and the United States.

Finally, he speaks of his passion for his art. "My greatest joy has been able to share music with some of my heroes and musical references," he declared. "And although it requires much discipline and sacrifice, having the privilege of enjoying a life centered on music is a great gift."