Cubanoson

Cubanoson is a traditional Cuban dance orchestra as created by pianist, Leonel “Papo” Ortega. This musically inspired pianist and composer has enjoyed the privilege of working alongside several exceptional musicians, among them, Roberto Rodriguez, Lionel Sanchez, Chocolate Armenteros, Junior Rivera, José Fajardo and Cándido Camero. Cubanoson unites the “Punto Cubano” and the “Son Montuno” bringing danceable Cuban music to any event,(public or private), concert or festival. The purpose of this orchestra is to unite the talent and dedication of excellent contemporary musicians,(true exponents of our roots), to offer and express our traditional Cuban music to all cultural venues. Cubanoson honors the great artists who have bestowed upon us the utmost musical education. To them and others who have passed on our music through generations, we will continue honoring them with New York’s Cuban dance orchestra, Cubanoson!

Cubanoson's Current Orchestra Members

Leonel "Papo" Ortega - Leader, Pianist, Lead Vocalist & Chorus

Roberto Rodriguez-1st Trumpet -Musical Director

Willie Cintron - Bass

Junior Rivera - Tres Guitar

Ronnie Baro - Vocals, Percussion

Larry Figueredo- Percussion

Jaime Figueroa - Percussion

Oscar Oñoz - 2nd Trumpet

Barry Olsen- Trombone

Orlando "El Niño" Espinosa - Chorus

Arrangers

Leonel "Papo" Ortega

Manolo Albo

Silvio Cebrian

Omar A. Castaños

Louie Cruz

Rey Roig

Music Copyist

Omar A. Castaños

Leonel "Papo" Ortega - Leader, Pianist, Lead Vocalist

Born in New Jersey to Cuban parents and raised in the very Cuban cities of Union City and West New York, at the age of 3, I began to play a guitar along my father and uncle, who on a monthly basis performed in what was known as “El Guateque Campesino.” This monthly event brought together numerous poets, guitarrists, laudists and tres players who would get together at different clubs and lodges and offer their inspirational music before predominantly Cuban audiences. The music that was performed is called Punto Guajiro, Cuba's country music.

At age 4 I began studying classical European music for eleven years. Growing up amidst a musical family that was steeped in traditional Cuban music, and altogether became the inspirational foundation to learn and enjoy our traditional music "Son Montuno", among other rhythms, lyrics and orchestrations.

My mother and father, Juana Torres & Leonel Ortega Sr., both play guitar and sing (songs and improvisational), my grandmother Maria Torres would compose poetry and lyrics, my uncle Sergio Sori, a singer who plays laud, tres, and guitar is an exceptional writer. My aunt Maria Sori is also a poet and inspirational singer, known throughout Cuban radio as “La Londra de San Jose” (50s and early 60s). When I came up with the idea to record, I called upon my uncle Sergio's geniosity resulting in the creation of exceptional lyrics for 2 selections on the CD, Guajiro soy and the title track “Recordando A Cuba." Still today I continue to call upon my uncle Sergio and my father Leonel to help me out with lyrics. Their ingenuity is incredible. Finally, my brother Raul was also a musician - a talented trumpeter who from age 16 – 21 performed with high school and local Cuban Dance bands. Cubanoson's CD - Recordando A Cuba, is dedicated in his memory.

At age 15, I played my first official gig on a 12-string guitar with Omar DeJunco's band called Havana Brass then later named Casino International at St. Augustine’s Church hall in Union City. A few months later I became the pianist for the band; the first gig being a New Year's Eve party in Connecticut alongside bassist Leopoldo Fleming, continuing with this band for about 3 years. I then began playing with Jose "Voltaire" Gutierrez' merengue band “Conjunto Quisqueyano” alongside bassist Jose "Pepe" Franca for several years.

In 1983 I met Chico Alvarez in another band called Zafra, and he invited me to record on an album he was recording titled Orquesta Riverside. This was great, I played piano on a couple of songs, recorded violins on a synthesizer and sang background vocals. Coincidentally, the bassist for the Riverside recording was bassist Willie Cintron, who after so many years, is now the bassist for Cubanoson. Since then I continued public performances with several groups: Palomonte, Mafimba, Fajardo y Sus Estrellas (with the legendary Jose Fajardo), Charanga Kreacion, Los Hermanos Morenos, Raul Azpiazu, Angelo y el Conjunto Modelo, Orquesta Metropolitana, and the Kenny Gross Orchestras.

Throughout the years, I have had the privelege of performing alongside or accompanying several great singers /musicians throughout my career performing in bands and as a soloist in local Clubs; such as Roberto Rodriguez, Candido Camero, La India de Oriente, Chivirico Davila, Chihuahua Martinez, Junior Rivera, Ray Vega, Lionel Sanchez, and the greatest privelege of all of having Jose Fajardo play with me several times with a sextet called Papo y el Grupo Siboney, that existed in the mid to late 90s that I had put together.

Other notable experiences include having Johhny Pacheco sit in with Siboney to play Cachita a few years ago.

In the latter part of 2005, I decided to put together this orchestra to feature Cuban music, and Cubanoson was born. I have been blessed to have great musicians who backed me on my endeavors like Roberto Rodriguez, Junior Rivera. Willie Cintron and Oscar Onoz. Already great things have happened, Cubanoson's debut CD - Recordando A Cuba has been released, received great reviews, airplay and sales.

In June of 2006 at one of Cubanoson’s performances I had the honor and privelege of having my orchestra accompany two living legends – Joseito Mateo and Israel "Cachao" Lopez the father of all bassists. 2007 brings great things.

Our debut CD was ranked # 1 in England, Italy, Germany and Salsa Picante Radio. Other notable rankings include top 15 in Toronto and # 3 for the New York Area by Latin Beat Magazine's Vicki Sola.

We hope you enjoy our music and look forward to making your next event an even better one.

Recordando a Cuba.

This compilation consists of 10 selections of old style traditional Cuban music.

It includes 3 compositions by composer and friend Silvio Cebrian, (Monsieur Jose, En la Campiña and No Te Preocupes.) (Side note) Monsieur Jose is a great tune with a new arrangement in which I added some French lyrics and coros, for our European and Canadian friends, and as a special treat, singer Ronnie Baro added his unmistakable voice and French verbiage to introduce this song.

The compilation additionally includes new arrangements of Lagrimas Negras, composed by Miguel Matamoros, Que Mala Suerte, by Arsenio Rodriguez, and Mujeres de Mayari composed by Francisco Repilado known as Compay Segundo to the music world.

The last 4 songs are all original compositions.

Son Bailadores, composed by singer and friend, Mario J. Ortiz, music by Papo, resulted in the creation of an old-style guaguanco.

Two other songs, Guajiro Soy, a guajira, and the title track Recordando a Cuba, that tribute the 6 original Cuban provinces, were co-written by me and my uncle Sergio Sori.

Lastly, Son Cubanoson is a son montuno written by me to introduce the Cubanoson orchestra to the world.
Thank you and enjoy Recordando a Cuba.

Papo Ortega