 Eliades Ochoa (Cuba) With his trademark cowboy hat, Eliades Ochoa was a star of the Buena Vista Social Club, delivering unforgettable performances of the song Chan Chan with Compay Segundo. Hailing from Cuba’s eastern countryside near Santiago, Eliades’ musical roots are in guajira – Cuban country music. He began playing the guitar when he was six, making a living through playing in cafes and brothels around Santiago. In 1978 he joined Cuarteto Patria, and eventually became leader of this legendary group that has been keeping the Cuban folk music tradition alive since 1940. Shortly before being recruited by Ry Cooder for the Buena Vista Social Club album, Eliades had been working with Compay Segundo, reviving the old master’s career by recording a version of Chan Chan with him. Eliades’ contribution to the Buena Vista sessions included his distinctive guitar playing and lead vocals on El Cuarto de Tula, and his own guajira showcase on El Carretero. Away from the Buena Vista connection, he recorded CubAfrica with Manu Dibango in 1998 and solo albums Sublime Ilusión in 1999, and Estoy Como Nunca in 2002. Eliades lives in Havana but regularly performs internationally, championing the acoustic, string and percussion-driven rural sound of Cuban son.
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