On the night of the 11 th of November 1978, in Santa Ursula (a densely populated neighbourhood of Santiago) Miguel Matamoros, Ignacio Piñeiro and Arsenio Rodríguez smiled down from heaven and gave their blessing, with a “ah one, ah two, ah one, two three…” which made SON 14 take off – destination; eternity. Cuba needed a group to breathe life into that mischievous and persistent Son which stubbornly refused to go away – the most universal of all musical forms.

The people of Santiago looked at each other and asked, amazed, “Where has this band come from?” None of the assiduous dancers knew for sure who the panama-hat wearing man with the unforgettable voice was.

The truth is, that night, Santiago saw more than just a band's debut, and its people perceived with expert ears that those opening four numbers could be the salvation of son music in Cuba.

It was the result of an overwhelming talent forged in an historical conversation between Rodulfo Vaillant and Adalberto Alvarez, at the bar in the Hotel Colon de Camaguey. Vaillant, a well-known composer of popular music, had convinced Aldaberto to put together a band in Santiago de Cuba, and that history would prove him right.

But SON 14 not only shook the foundations of its native soil. That impetuous sound, capable of maddening hips and livening up hearts, went on to win over the entire country. Like a robust locomotive it arrived at the 1980's platform transformed into one of the ensembles in greatest demand nationally and internationally.

What Cuban party could possibly be declared alive and kicking without the inclusion of “A Bayamo en coche”, “El Son de la Madrugada” or “Tal Vez Vuelvas a Llamarme” (Me Recordaras)?

How could one forget the anthological presentation at The Poliedro de Caracas, el Premio de “Calle Enramadas” at the Adolfo Guzman contest, or the effects of its conquests in Europe, USA and Latin America?

And although Adalberto left the band in 1983, the story of SON 14 has never stopped: with new international tours, more recordings for EGREM and its global re-launching with TUMI MUSIC, whose third production is now before you.

All this keeps alive the soul of the “Conjuntisimo” (the Great Band) for all time, in the memory of the Cuban devotees of son.

Return to Son 14 home...