Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars
June 10, 2021
Wednesday, October 28, 2026, 7:30 PM
Street and Davis Performance Hall, Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre
This performance will last approximately 90 minutes with no intermission.*
"A blast of sun-baked sultriness."
— The Guardian
Founded by bandleader and musical ambassador Juan de Marcos González, the legendary Afro-Cuban All Stars celebrates the full spectrum of Cuban music across generations and styles. Emerging from the same creative movement that brought the world the Buena Vista Social Club, the orchestra unites master musicians and rising artists on one stage.
The repertoire includes classic Cuban son and danzón alongside the electrifying pulse of contemporary timba dance music. With infectious rhythms, blazing horns, and spirited vocals, the ensemble delivers a performance honoring Cuba’s musical heritage while carrying it vibrantly into the present.
The ensemble is devoted to promoting the full range of Cuban music, one that embraces several generations and all musical styles. Over the years many of the band’s musicians have become international stars, including brilliant performers such as Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer, Guillermo Rubalcaba, Amadito Valdes, and Manuel “The Guajiro” Mirabal.
About Afro-Cuban All Stars
The genesis of the Afro-Cuban All Stars has its roots early in the 1990s when the son ensemble Sierra Maestra, headed by Juan de Marcos González, was receiving a lot of international exposure. During this time, González was introduced to Nick Gold, president of World Music Records (then a small independent world music label), which led to a couple of very successful tours in Europe. Later the group went to London and recorded Dundumbanza, considered one of the jewels of the world music scene of the early ‘90s. (In retrospect, this recording opened the doors to the further incredible boom of the traditional Cuban music of the period.)
Months later, González got the go-ahead to do an album celebrating the classic Cuban sound of the ‘50s — a recording whose personnel would feature many great musicians that he knew. The plan was to prepare two projects: one featuring a Cuban big band and the other favoring a more traditional sound reminiscent of the acoustic style of Nico Saquito or Portabales.
In March of 1996 they recorded the album A toda Cuba le Gusta, featuring nearly 60 performers. With the addition of celebrated artists such as Compay Segundo, Omara Portuondo, Eliades Ochoa, Barbarito Torres, and legendary American guitarist Ry Cooder, the Buena Vista Social Club was born. With a low budget and only two live recording sessions, they also recorded Rubén González’s first solo album, Introducing Ruben Gonzalez, which became one of the most successful of the Buena Vista series of recordings.
During the spring of 1997, González and a select group of stellar musicians started touring under the banner of a band christened the Afro-Cuban All Stars. The original lineup included Ruben González and Guillermo Rubalcaba (piano); Orlando López (bass); Amadito Valdés (timbale); Carlos González and Roberto Valdés (bongos and Cuban percussion); Ángel Terry (congas); Daniel Ramos, Alejandro Pichardo, and “Guajiro” Mirabal (trumpets); Alberto “Molote” Martínez and Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos (trombones); and Raúl Planas, Manuel Licea, Pío Leiva, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Félix Baloy (lead singers).
After several years of success, including four Grammy nominations, several documentaries and films, and many other distinctions, the All Stars are certainly one of the best-known and successful Cuban orchestras, along with Los Van and Irakere.
Afro-Cuban All Stars has also opened the doors to a new generation by incorporating young musicians into the band. With his project, González has developed a concept: to stand up on the roots for creating the future. More so than simply creating a band, his approach has allowed him to expand the ensemble’s creative range by incorporating contemporary styles of Cuban music and taking a fluid approach to adjusting the orchestra’s lineup by changing or adding musicians as appropriate to best reflect the different styles of music the band features.
The Afro-Cubans are the same orchestra that can be seen in those distinct performances captured in the famous Oscar-nominated Buena Vista Social Club documentary by Wim Wenders, the Tony Knox documentary Salon of Dreams, or the DVDs Live in Japan and Live in The Hague.
This performance is supported in part by a gift from Mrs. Elizabeth A. Obenshain and Dr. E. Fred Carlisle. Additional funding is provided by the Timothy and Michelle Bendel Center for the Arts Excellence Fund.
This is Juan de Marcos and Afro-Cuban All Stars' first performance at the center.
* Run times listed here are based on information provided at this time and are subject to change.
FAQs
About This Event
Afro-Cuban refers to the rich cultural traditions that developed in Cuba through the blending of African and Cuban influences. In music, it combines African rhythms and percussion with Cuban styles, creating vibrant genres such as son, rumba, mambo, salsa, and jazz. Juan de Marcos and the Afro-Cuban All Stars celebrate this musical heritage while bringing it to new audiences through dynamic live performances.
The Afro-Cuban All Stars feature a vibrant mix of brass, percussion, piano, bass, and vocals. Depending on the program, you may hear instruments such as trumpets, trombones, congas, bongos, timbales, piano, bass, and traditional Cuban percussion, all working together to create the band's signature rhythmic, danceable sound.
The Buena Vista Social Club was a group of legendary Cuban musicians brought together in the 1990s to record an album celebrating traditional Cuban music. The album became an international sensation and inspired an award-winning documentary film, introducing audiences around the world to Cuba's rich musical heritage. Juan de Marcos González played a key role in bringing the project to life and continues that legacy with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, celebrating the music and artists that made Buena Vista Social Club famous.
It's more than jazz. The Afro-Cuban All Stars perform a lively mix of traditional Cuban music, including son, danzón, bolero, rumba, and salsa, with influences from jazz and other Latin music traditions. Expect infectious rhythms, dazzling musicianship, and music that's just as enjoyable to listen to as it is to dance to.
These are all styles of Cuban music, each with its own history and sound:
- Son is considered the foundation of many modern Cuban genres. It blends Spanish melodies and guitar with African rhythms and percussion, creating a warm, rhythmic sound that later influenced salsa.
- Danzón is Cuba's official national dance and music style. Elegant and orchestral, it has a slower, more formal feel than son.
- Timba is a modern Cuban dance music style. Energetic and highly rhythmic, it builds on salsa and son while incorporating jazz, funk, and Afro-Cuban influences.
The Afro-Cuban All Stars draw from these and other Cuban traditions, showcasing the rich variety and evolution of Cuban music.
Attending a Performance at the Center
The most important thing is that you're comfortable. There is no dress code, so do what feels right for you. Do you want to get dressed to the nines for a special night out? You won't be the only one. Do you feel like keeping things casual? You won't be alone there, either.
All campus parking, including along Alumni Mall, requires a parking permit from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., unless otherwise noted by signage.
Parking is available in the North End Parking Garage on Turner Street at 300 Turner Street NW.
- For many Center for the Arts performances and large events, this garage will be staffed by an attendant and payment ($10, cash only) must be made at the time of entry. This event parking price is $2 higher than the garage’s daily rate to allow us to provide staffing to make both entering and exiting the garage more efficient for larger numbers of cars. You may exit at the Turner Street gate.
- All other times, visitors can take a ticket upon entrance and pay the $8 daily rate using Visa or Mastercard when exiting.
Convenient parking is also located in downtown Blacksburg. Town parking is free every day after 5:00 p.m.
Patrons are always welcome to drop off and pick up guests directly at the main doors of the Center for the Arts on Alumni Mall and Turner Street.
Allowing yourself extra time improves the experience for everyone! We recommend arriving at least 45 minutes prior to the start of the performance so you have plenty of time for the safety screening and to get settled in your seats. Our lobbies and galleries open 90 minutes before performances, and the theatre doors open 30 minutes before the performance start time. Ushers will direct you to your seat and are happy to answer any questions.
For the safety of our guests and performers, all patrons may be required to pass through a walk-through metal detector before entering the theatre. The process is quick and touchless, and you may keep your personal belongings with you. If you need an alternate screening method, please speak with a member of our security team.
A small or clutch-size purse or clear bag is recommended. Oversized bags, luggage, and backpacks will not be permitted inside the theatre. Coat check will be available to check these items.
Concessions from Blacksburg Wine Lab are available for most performances. Concessions availability and locations will be included in the What to Know email for ticket holders. Concessions are available beginning an hour before the performance, so arrive early to avoid the lines and enjoy a drink before the show.
Yes. Beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages purchased from concessions may be enjoyed inside the Anne and Ellen Fife Theatre when served in an approved Center for the Arts reusable cup. The cup is yours to keep, so wash it at home and bring it back to be refilled at future events where Blacksburg Wine Lab operates concessions. Other cups, containers, and outside beverages are not permitted. Learn more on our blog.
Cameras and recording equipment are not permitted inside the theatre during performances. To avoid distracting the artists and those around you, please turn off or silence your cell phone and put away all electronic devices before the performance begins. Photography, video recording, and audio recording are not permitted unless otherwise announced.
If you’re late, you may hear the beginning of the performance from the lobby while you wait to take your seat — either until intermission or an appropriate break in the program as requested and advised by the artists. Admitting late arrivals into the theatre is timed to cause as little disruption as possible to other guests and the performers on stage. In some cases, you may be seated in an alternate location in the theatre.
You will receive a “What to Know” email approximately 48 hours before the performance with helpful information on approximate runtimes, pre- and post-show activities, and any other information you will need to know before you head out the door.
We are committed to being fully accessible to all patrons and their companions and strive to make our patrons’ experiences convenient and comfortable. In addition to our venue’s universal design features, we offer services and accommodations for parking, seating, listening, sensory support, courtesy wheelchair, elevators, restrooms, service animals, sign language, and visual aids. Find out more.
No. Mobile tickets displayed on your smartphone are welcome, though printed tickets are also accepted.
While all sales are final, tickets to most events may be exchanged for another Center for the Arts performance within the current season. Please contact the box office at artscenter@vt.edu or by phone at 540-231-5300 at least one hour in advance of the scheduled performance to request an exchange. Refunds may be offered in extenuating circumstances at the discretion of the box office manager.