Golden Age of Cuban Music ‘Leyendas: The Legends of Cuban Music’.

WPBT presents the premiere of LEYENDAS: THE LEGENDS OF CUBAN MUSIC, an original Channel 2 production airing Wednesday, June 14 at 8:00 p.m. This one-hour documentary celebrates one of the most fundamental elements in Cuban culture – its music – and pays homage to the men and women who influenced its infectious sounds and irresistible rhythms.

Take a fascinating look into the “Golden Age” of Cuban music of the ‘40s and ‘50s through one-on-one interviews with living legends Israel López “Cachao,” Generoso Jiménez, Bebo Váldez, Olga Guillot, Olga Chorens, and others, who are a vanishing breed. These beloved musicians provide a link to an important story from Cuba’s past – a story that may otherwise be lost forever.

Interviews, anecdotes and archival images, underscored by the sensuous cadence of Cuban music, depict a pivotal era in music’s history. These artists’ accomplishments paved the way for contemporary performers Emilio Estefan, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval and Willy Chirino, all interviewed on-camera.

Personal accounts reveal what it was like traveling from small town to small town – riding buses or “carretones” – and doing everything, from performing at a local radio station to marching alongside a street procession. “Ritmo” (rhythm) refers to the music, but also to the pulsating energy coursing through cities and tiny towns alike when Cuba was a country filled with music and laughter.

For many, three greats – singers Celia Cruz and Beny More, and composer Ernesto Lecuona – define Cuban music. Musical legends Olga Guillot and Generoso Jiménez offer insight into the lives of these amazing artists and former colleagues.

WPBT producer Oscar Lopez traveled to New York to capture some Cuban musicians of the time, including Candido Camero, Las Hermanas Marquez, Graciela Perez-Grillo and Carlos “Patato” Valdez. He also met Latin music icon Johnny Pacheco, who set Cuban music on fire in New York during the ‘70s with the Fania Allstars featuring Celia Cruz. “One thing I’ve found inspiring about this project is how music helps keep these musicians feeling young,” said Lopez. “Percussionist Candido Camero commented that although he’s 85 years old, when he plays the congas he feels 20 again. I truly believe that.”

The inclusion of so many notable personalities provides a rich portrait of day-to-day Cuban life at a time when it sparkled with vibrant color, unforgettable sounds and captivating rhythms. With the success of other music documentaries such as BEBO AND CIGALA, LA CUBA MIA and BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, and the resurgence of musicians Cachao, Bebo Váldez, Las Hermanas Márquez and more, there is growing interest in the music and virtuosity of the men and women who pioneered and popularized this swelling art form.

This bi-lingual Channel 2 special is presented primarily in Spanish, with English subtitles; and with Spanish subtitles for English interviews.