With a song in his heart, Minnesota pianist celebrates mended ties with Cuba

With a song in his heart, Minnesota pianist celebrates mended ties with Cuba
July 18, 2015 — 8:17pm

Monday will be a historic day in Washington, D.C., as Cuba opens its first embassy in the U.S. in 54 years. A delegation from Cuba will be there, along with dignitaries from around the world. They were supposed to be treated to music from Minnesota piano great Nachito Herrera, who was asked by Cuba’s next ambassador to the U.S., José Ramón Cabañas , to perform.

It was a huge honor for Herrera, a world-class musician who as a teen performed with the Cuban Symphony Orchestra and who now calls the Dakota Jazz Club his frequent home. It also will be a moment of great joy for the native Cuban, who came to the U.S. for a better life and more opportunity.

But Herrera had to decline; he had already made a promise to Lowell Pickett, owner of the Dakota Jazz Club.

Herrera had scheduled a special two-night performance with an all-star cast of musicians from around the world called Nachito Herrera and the Universals. He had commitments from several celebrated performers, including his Grammy-winning drummer from Havana, Raul Pineda, and improvisational violinist Karen Briggs. Herrera decided he could not let his colleagues, or his Minnesota fans, down, not even to be part of history.

Instead, Herrera intends to light up the local stage July 20 and 21 to celebrate what he thinks is a long overdue attempt to normalize relations between his beloved homeland and his new home. Herrera plans to display both the American and Cuban flags and play a variety of international music ranging from Latin jazz to classical.

More:
http://www.startribune.com/with-a-song-in-his-heart-minnesota-pianist-celebrates-mended-ties-with-cuba/317027551/

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