Eliades Ochoa
Cuban musician Eliades Ochoa hit it big in 1997 with his band Buena Vista Social Club.
Synopsis
Born June 22, 1946, in Cuba, Eliades Ochoa learned to play the guitar at age 6. As an adult, he performed with many bands, including Cuarteto Patria, a Cuban folk group. But he really hit it big in 1997 with Buena Vista Social Club, whose self-titled album sold more than 1.5 million copies.
Musical Career
Singer and musician Eliades Ochoa was born on June 22, 1946, in Songo La Maya, Cuba. Raised in the countryside, Eliades Ochoa has never forgotten his rural musical roots. At the age of 6, Ochoa learned to play the guitar and has enjoyed performing many different styles of traditional Cuban music.
During his career, Ochoa has worked with many different bands, including Cuarteto Patria. He became the leader of the Cuban folk group in 1978. With Ochoa, the group toured internationally and recorded several albums.
Ochoa scored an even bigger success as part of the Buena Vista Social Club, an ensemble of mostly older Cuban musicians. Created by Nick Gold and Juan de Marcos González and produced by Ry Cooder, the group recorded the hit album Buena Vista Social Club (1997), which sold more than 1.5 million copies and creating international interest in traditional Cuban music.
After Buena Vista Social Club, Eliades Ochoa created the critically acclaimed album, Sublime Illusion (1999), accompanied by his band Cuarteto Patria. Known for always wearing his cowboy hat, Ochoa continues to perform and make music. His latest album, Se Solto un Leon, was released in 2006.
