ArtistInfo

Juan-Carlos Formell

eg, voc, acg, *1964 US, Cuba
Singer of Latin and Rock

Born in Havana in 1964, Juan-Carlos is a fourth generation musician. But the restrictions of the government-controlled music industry in his homeland made it difficult for the singer/songwriter/guitarist/bassist to express his new ideas. In 1993 he fled to the United States, to make his own music, his way. He went to New York where he established a band, and in 1998 he was signed to the world music label Wicklow Records. His years of struggle in exile were vindicated when his debut CD, Songs From A Little Blue House, received a nomination for a Grammy in 2000. His next release, in 2002, was the critically-acclaimed Las Calles Del Paraiso (EMI Latin). Then, after several years of touring with his band and some major concerts – with Buena Vista Social Club veteran Eliades Ochoa, and world music stars Cesaria Evora, Milton Nascimento and Susana Baca – Juan-Carlos decided to take on the challenge of a solo guitar project. Inspired by a sojourn in New Orleans, Juan-Carlos returned to the Crescent City in May of 2005 to record Cemeteries & Desire, which was released by Narada Records in August 2005. The album features powerful original ballads – songs now haunted by the devastation of the city. His current project, SON RADICAL, is the spontaneous combustion of rock en clave that came out of Los Angeles recording sessions with two other exceptional Cuban musicians – drummer/producer Jimmy Branly (of NG la Banda) and bassist Carlitos del Puerto (of Caravana Cubana).

Instruments

• Electric guitar
• Vocals
• Acoustic guitar

Genres

• Latin
• Rock
• Folk
• World
• Jazz

Plays With

ArtistInfo App

Acknowledgements

ArtistInfo for Mac, iPad, and iPhone