Photo by Edwin Cardona
“Best Latin Act 2019” ~ Miami New Times
Jose Elias founded the band alongside Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet from Santiago de Cuba in November of 2011 after a 12-year stint with Conjunto Progreso that garnered him a Grammy nomination for his participation in the album Masters of Cuban Son. The duo was an instant success and were invited to perform at the Fingerlakes Grassroots festival in Trumansberg, NY. They released their first CD titled Abriendo Caminos in 2012, which featured one original composition by each of the artists “Delicias Caribeña” (Elias) and “Te Lo Perdiste” (Delet).
In 2013, Julio Cesar moved to Houston , Texas and was replaced by Humberto Upierre from Guanabacoa, Cuba. The group then expanded into a trio which included percussionist Andres Polanco Rivas from Holguin, Cuba. In 2014 , the group reunited with Julio Cesar to record what would be the songs for their next release, which included the participation of double bass player Yorgis Goiricelaya from Matanzas, Cuba. Yorgis is the Musical Director for Albita Rodriguez’s group and also plays bass with Oscar De Leon.
From 2015 to 2017 the group added various musicians to the roster, including the likes Eduardo Saborit on vocals and rhythm guitar from Santiago de Cuba, percussionist Santiago McCook, Wilfredo Fuentes Cespedes who recorded and toured with Eliades Ochoa, and Horacio Rodriguez, who worked with Orquesta Aragon from 2000 to 2016. Most recently, the group has added double bass player Alberto Pantaleon, who has toured with the Buena Vista Social Club and Eliades Ochoa.
Cortadito started 2018 the year with a bang thanks to world-renowned percussionist Sammy Figeroa – he hired the group to back him up for a New Year’s Eve event and later, as part of the Eliades Ochoa group at the GroundUp Music Festival. This fall, the group will once again team up with Julio Cesar for the debut of their second EP release titled Canciones de Julio which features five original compositions written by Julio Cesar, including the classic “Casa de la Trova” written by his father Julio Rodriguez. On September 2, the band once more backed Ochoa, this time at the Los Dells Festival in Wisconsin, the first major Latin music festival in the Midwest, and soon to be the largest such festival in North America.
Cortadito’s focus is on performing the traditional Cuban music of the early 20th century. From Son Montuno, Guaracha, Boleros, Nengon, and Bolero Son, this dynamic ensemble brings the listener back to a time when Trio Matamoros, or Ignacio Piniero ruled the Cuban music world. The era when popular music was Cuban Music and Son Montuno was influencing music throughout the globe. From time to time, Cortadito is backed by a variety of guest musicians, which gives the group a sound reminiscent of the Buena Vista Social Club.
They have now released Canciones de Julio on Afro Roots Recordings, written and recorded with the group’s co-founder Delet. Cortadito went back to their roots for the creation of their second EP release, which features five original compositions written by Julio Cesar, including the classic “Casa de la Trova” written by his father Julio Rodriguez. The fine work of double bass player Yorgis Goiricelaya from Matanzas, Cuba is featured throughout the recording. Yorgis is the Musical Director for Albita Rodriguez’s group and also plays bass with the legendary Oscar De Leon.
The recording will be available digitally shortly; CD copies can be purchased at any of the band’s live performances.
In June of 2019, Cortadito was named “Best Latin Act” by the Miami New Times in their “Best of Miami” issue. Click here to learn more.
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Cortadito backing Eliades Ochoa during GroundUp Fest 2018