Alex Cuba: Tiny Desk Concert

This Latinx Heritage Month Tiny Desk is celebrating with an 'El Tiny' takeover, featuring a wide array of artists from all corners of Latinidad.

Felix Contreras | October 4, 2023
Alex Cuba starts his turn behind the Tiny Desk with the barest of musical essentials: a percussive guitar rhythm, the soft scratch of a güiro and a miniature choir. "Ciudad Hembra (La Habana)," a lament for his hometown, sets a deliberate slow burn for this performance.

Alex Cuba's superpower is his undeniable charm as he weaves evocative imagery into musical arrangements that not only call to mind his native Cuba but anywhere an acoustic guitar and engaging voice command attention. "De Camino'' offers a good case in point. Propelled by bass, drums and congas, the deeply personal love song is full of celebration — Cuba's guitar and light hand percussion remind us that we are, in fact, in the Caribbean.

"Chekere" is named for the Afro-Cuban instrument made of a dried-out gourd covered by beads used in all types of Cuban music. The song's soft beginning evolves into a percussion-inspired explosion before Alex Cuba segues into a delicate love song dedicated to his wife, "Sarah."

SET LIST
"Ciudad Hembra (La Habana)"
"De Camino"
"Chekere"
"Sarah"

MUSICIANS
Alex Cuba: guitars, vocals
Yoser Rodríguez: bass
Alain Bergé: drums
Javier García: vocals, minor percussion
Roberto Vizcaino Jr.: percussion

TINY DESK TEAM
Producers: Anamaria Sayre, Felix Contreras, Suraya Mohamed
Director/Editor: Kara Frame
Audio Engineer: Josh Rogosin
Creative Director: Bob Boilen
Series Producer: Bobby Carter
Videographers: Kara Frame, Joshua Bryant, Alanté Serene
Audio Assistant: Ted Mebane
Photographer: Catie Dull
Tiny Desk Team: Maia Stern, Ashley Pointer, Hazel Cills
VP, Visuals and Music: Keith Jenkins
Senior VP, Programming: Anya Grundmann

#nprmusic #tinydesk #alexcuba

[WmLJohnson]

I met Alex right away when he arrived on Canadas coast. He was so young. He hardly spoke English. He would sit and play the instruments in my guitar shop. His talent was staggering. One day he asked to borrow a guitar to make a demo. I thought only a good hearted person could play like this young man. So I loaned him the guitar. I was right about him. God smiles when he plays. A good person and tremendous talent.

[mutwkilahmed]

I am 100% African, from Sudan, and when I hear Cuban music, I consider myself Cuban

[giggittygooh]

todos los cubanos en todas partes del mundo dando like aquí 🇨🇺

[UaYXxB]

Alex's voice is like having the warm sun at your back with a gentle breeze in your face.
Beautiful songwriter and awesome presence. Cuba's loss is absolutely Canada's gain !

[gapr]

I really like this tropical version of Lenny Kravitz

[Iammyowncreation]

This lovely rhythm makes me desperate for someone to dance with.

[Stoppedgetout]

I love Latin music, I’m of Cuban descent been as far as Puerto Rico. I think this group is awesome 👏 hola mi hente

[amcwilliam]

Alex Cuba representing small town BC, Canada! Music feels like sunshine but he lives in a tiny mountain town known for its heavy snow and long winter.

[The_Rusty]

I love Tiny Desk Concerts. Between seeing some of my favorite bands in a new light and being exposed to a ton of new music, this is a much view for me.

[MatissOcampoOficial]

Que belleza encontrar a Alex cuba en el Tiny.... a disfrutar.

[schochman]

Love to see these great artists I haven't even heard of

[juanpj]

Viva Cuba 🇨🇺 and Canada 🇨🇦! Great music Alex

[lenagarcia]

Alex que orgullosa de ser cubana me haces sentir sabor y belleza linda letras mucho talento

[englishwithneil]

Alex, if you're reading this, I saw you 18 years ago in California when you were debuting in America. Its great to see you still making music!

[mariaortizcollazo]

A ver cuando se presenta en Puerto Rico. Fan de Alex 100%

[uptownflavor]

Not sure who originally came up with the idea for Tiny Desk but thank you. Thank you Bobby and team for consistently bringing us fabulous music ❤❤❤

[vanessasanezartstudio]

Me encanta Alex Cuba 🤍☀️ que orgullo verlo en Tiny Desk 🙌🏼

[lenkesnaydiaz]

Gracias infinitas a nuestros ancestros, que nos han dejado tanto sabor !!

[thornels]

This is amazing!! I'd love to see Yussef Dayes on here too, especially after the release of Black Classical Music!!!

[t.josephine]

My excitement when I got this notification ! 😁

Conga break @ 3:11 was tasty and the drummer knew it. 🔥

The beauty of the chord progression @ 15:31 - 15:36 😌❤