By Andrea Martone
Cuban Heat Hits the Gulf Coast
Cuban music has become extremely popular in Florida, including in the areas of St. Petersburg and Sarasota, due to several historical and cultural factors. The proximity of Cuba to Florida and the significant Cuban immigration waves have deeply influenced the state’s musical landscape. Cuban music’s popularity stems from its rich, diverse origins. The island was a crossroads of musical influences, blending styles from white Cubans, Afro-Cubans, and Spaniards. Genres like Son, Danzón, Bolero, Rumba, and Cha-Cha emerged from this cultural mixing, which then spread to Florida’s communities. Today, Cuban music remains a vital part of Florida’s cultural identity. I dedicate my column this month to three well-known Cuban musicians that contribute to our rich musical tapestry.
RENESITO AVICH is a renowned Cuban musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Florida. Born in Santiago de Cuba, he is recognized as one of the world’s greatest Cuban Tres Guitar players, specializing in the Tres Cubano, a traditional Cuban instrument with three pairs of steel strings. His musical compositions incorporate elements of classical music, jazz, and traditional Cuban styles. Avich showed musical talent from an early age – when he was 3 months old, Avich began to whistle even before he could speak. This understandably alarmed his parents. “My parents were worried, so they took me to the psychologist,” Avrich said. The doctor said, ‘Don’t worry about it. He’s going to be a musician.’”
Avich is heading to New York’s Broadway in March of 2025 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, where he will star in the musical, The Buena Vista Social Club. For more information about where you can hear Renesito Avich play in our area, visit
COMBOFUSION is a musical group that performs a blend of musical styles and is known for an eclectic mix of musical genres, particularly combining Latin flavors with classic American sounds. ComboFusion is the ultimate Latin infusion band that draws a procession of crowds to the dance floor. Follow them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/combofusionsarasota, or write to them at Francois9096123@yahoo.com
JESUS “AGUAJE” RAMOS
Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos is a St. Petersburg-based Cuban trombonist, singer, composer, arranger and musical director. He is known as the composer, arranger and trombonist of The Buena Vista Social Club. He has also served long stints in world class ensembles Estrellas de Areito and Afro-Cuban Allstars. His past musical journey and history is brought into focus throughout the critically acclaimed 1999 documentary “Buena Vista Social Club” and the 2017 follow up “Buena Vista Social Club: Adios.”
Ramos performed on the beloved recordings of The Buena Vista Social Club and Afro-Cuban Allstars and many others, along with the solo albums of Ibrahim Ferrer, Ruben Gonzales and Omara Portuondo. He was Gonzales’s musical director and has been touring extensively since 1997 with many Afro-Cuban projects. He was a prominent member and musical director of the renowned Adios tour that brought Cuban cultural music back into international prominence.
Ramos and his Buena Vista Orchestra began touring and playing shows in the mid-2010’s, becoming a darling of critics and audiences throughout North America. Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos and his Buena Vista Orchestra continue the legacy of this legendary musical and cultural movement in 2024 with an exciting new stage production and repertoire pulled from Aguaje’s greatest hits (many of which he composed), traditional music and deep-dive cuts. He is joined on this 2024 tour by an all-star ensemble featuring veteran musicians and past members of groups like The Buena Vista Social Club, including “Betun” Luis Mariano Valiente Marin (Congas, Bongo), Emilio Senon Morales Ruiz (keys) and Fabía Garcia (bass). To contact the band management: Steven Machat at SSK Entertainment smachat@gmail.com or visit www.thebuenavistaorchestra.com