Eliades Ochoa is one of the best interpreters of traditional Cuban music, more specifically of the genre called "son," which is at the root of genres such as salsa and Latin jazz and has transcended Cuban boundaries to influence American music. Ochoa’s work with the Cuarteto Patria brought the son from the Santiago region of Cuba (known as son Santiaguero) to the forefront of Cuban music.
To understand Ochoa's trajectory, one must understand the history of son, the places where it was created and the places where it is still performed. We must understand the influence of traditional trova and dance music in the development of Cuban musical genres, and their role in Cuban society.
In this talk, we will explore the development of son in Cuba, its characteristics, lyrics, variations, dances and structure, including the role of soneros (son musicians), pregoneros and troubadours in the foundation of Cuban society and cultural identity. We will look at renowned soneros including Ochoa, and we will use his music as an example as a point of departure to create our own interactive son pattern for all to enjoy.
This event is part of Strathmore’s Windows series of performances and accompanying programs. Learn more
Meet the Lecturers
Marietta Ulacia
Marietta Ulacia is a Cuban American musician and arts administrator with over 20 years of experience working in the nonprofit cultural field. Currently, Marietta is the Executive Director of Belongó, also known as the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance of New York, which she joined in 2014 after spending several years working with New York dance organizations such as the Isadora Duncan Dance Foundation, Dance Theater Workshop, and Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet.
Marietta spent over 15 years in the Washington, DC area performing with various music groups. In 2000, she became Executive Director of the Latin American Folk Institute (LAFI) in Maryland. As a cultural leader, she spearheaded valuable partnerships among music, theater, and dance organizations, working with cultural institutions such as the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, the Smithsonian Institution, The Washington Ballet, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Gala Hispanic Theater, the Washington Performing Arts Society, the InSeries of George Washington University, and many others. She led her own Afro-Cuban dance and music ensemble and spent two years in Brazil researching the connection between Afro-Brazilian and Afro-Cuban music.
Ms. Ulacia is a graduate of the prestigious Amadeo Roldán Music Conservatory in Havana, Cuba. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and visual media and a master’s degree in arts management from American University in Washington, DC. She is a Board member of EducArte, a Maryland nonprofit dedicated to bringing cultural arts education programming to underserved communities in the Maryland/DC/Virginia area. She is a member of the Rolling Stone Culture Council.
Marietta’s work as an independent artist and producer includes 7 years as a jazz programmer for WPFW radio station in Washington, DC; 2 years of service as advisor to the annual FLIC Dance Festival in Brooklyn, and ongoing work as co-producer of the documentary Fandango at the Wall, currently showing on HBO.
Alberto Miranda
Born in Cuba in 1985, Alberto has dedicated his musical career to performing with esteemed artists such as José Luis Cortés, Chucho Valdés, and Omara Portuondo. As the bassist for the groundbreaking Cuban supergroup NG La Banda, he had the privilege of recording the award-winning album Mis 22 años.
Since relocating to the United States in 2011, Alberto has consistently expanded his musical horizons, exploring the intersection of acoustic and electronic music within the jazz and Afro-Cuban genres. His innovative approach incorporates cutting-edge looping technology, resulting in a diverse repertoire that includes soulful bass solos and the low-end support for his bands.
The Cuban Bass Tumbao, a comprehensive study that explores the history of bass in Afro-Cuban genres and rhythms, delves into the evolution of the bass as an instrument and the development of bass lines within Afro-Cuban music. Additionally, it encompasses various Afro-Cuban arrangement styles, solo techniques, and a profound understanding of playing in conjunction with the clave.
Alberto’s global travels have honed his musical talents, enabling him to perform across a diverse range of genres. His deep musicality and technical proficiency have made him a sought-after collaborator, drawing inspiration from Cuban traditional music while incorporating elements of jazz, R&B, soul, Brazilian, and pop music. Throughout these diverse styles, Alberto’s distinctive voice stands out, characterized by its clarity, beauty, and unwavering uniqueness.