Virginia Guantanamera He wanted to make a record for “dancers” and he has succeeded. She has entered a sphere of salsa that is highly dominated by men. To my taste and my airthe name of the LP, is the most international of his career. We spoke with the Cuban singer-songwriter about this premiere represented in 10 songs that come to add to other previous ones in her record, which includes no label; Entre2; Entre2Uno; Process; I am what I am; Virginia Guantanamera sings Kiki Corona and this To my taste and my air.
-Why this album at this time? She says that she had been wanting to make an album for dancers for a long time. Was it a pending subject?
“I had been wanting to make an album with danceable music for a long time and it was now or never. Above all, because the songs came out and were designed for dancers. I think that the world of music needs us to continue betting on all danceable genres, beyond what is most popular today. I say this without bitterness, because I respect all genres and that everyone enjoys what they like. In the end, people consume what is heard the most and what is most disclosed. But I don’t consider it a pending issue, because in all my records, which are already quite a few, I always pay homage to the dancer”.
-You don’t have time. Aside from being a singer-songwriter, she has shows all over the Canary Islands: ‘Celia in memory’, ‘A walk through Havana’, the project with the Gran Canaria Big Band, the tribute to Pablo Milanés.
“My time is gold. I am one of those who wants to leave leaving a mark. I don’t stop, I need it and it’s part of my personality. I enjoy stress when it comes to projects and I almost always carry the greatest responsibility. I have gotten used to not being the tail, but always the head, and that requires great sacrifice and integrity, but I am not going to give it up while I can”.
“Music needs us to bet on all danceable genres, not just the one that is most popular today”
-It has three Cubadisco awards. What have they assumed?
“Having won three Cubadisco awards is very relevant in the career of any Cuban artist, since they are the most important in the music industry in the country. It is a plus if you are not one of those who sit and wait for everything to fall from the sky. This implies a lot of sacrifice, always wanting to be on the front line”.
-You have entered a realm of salsa that is certainly dominated by male voices. Have you encountered obstacles to remove the disc?
“I have been lucky to have Juan Manuel Ceruto, an excellent Cuban musician, arranger and producer. Of those that are worth and shines. Everything is easy with him, he saw my songs in such a way that the more you listen to them, the more you like them. Every day you discover some detail that you had not noticed. I feel tied to his pen, and since I am very stable, I am not willing to change anything regarding the musical production, I leave that up to him, who is the one he knows. Apart from his values as a musical institution, we have a lot of empathy on a personal level. Dance music in Cuba is highly represented by men, who are all excellent, but it is time for women to be more. The obstacles have been rather the coordination in the distance, since recording in Cuba is a luxury for the powerful recording industry”.
-How is the panorama of the female artist in Cuba compared to Spain?
“The Cuban woman artist is kick ahead in general and, despite all the difficulties, which are not a secret, he tries to stand out. The artist in Spain will always have more facilities. Let’s say it’s a matter of wanting.”
“I only ask for health to continue with my desire to do more things; I am addicted to stages and recording studios”
-Tell us about the most important dates you have until the end of the year, both the Canary Islands and those abroad.
“On September 24 I will be at the Teatro Leal in La Laguna with a tribute to Pablo Milanés. It is not difficult to have dates from one day to the next in the Canary Islands, it is the good thing to run the shed yourself and search for concerts. In December it’s time to return to Cuba. I will be in Guantánamo, accompanied by musicians from there, premiering the concert of To my taste and my air at the La Guantanamera Festival, and in January I will be in Cuba again, at the Jazz Plaza. I only ask for health to continue with my incessant desire to do more and more, because I am addicted to the stage and also to recording studios. I will not stop”.
-What music do you listen to?
“I like all music that makes me cry and dance. I can dance crying and vice versa. I am a fan of Alexander Abreu, Isaac Delgado, Juan Luis Guerra, Michael Jackson, Tito Nieves, Elena Burque, Celia Cruz. I am colorful, but I love dancing ”.
2023-08-27 23:01:00
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