Ibrahim Ferrer Buena Vista Social Club presents Orquesta
Ibrahim Ferrer y Su Grupo at UCLA’s Royce Hall Jan. 18 and 19.
By Taylor Kim
Daily Bruin Contributor
Cuban cigars. Communism. Fidel Castro. The United States’
relations with the communist state of Cuba have denigrated the
image of Cuba and caused most Americans to disregard the rich
culture of that country.
In recent times, however, the Cuban culture has been brought to
the foreground through traditions like Afro-Cuban dance and
drumming.
When an American, Ry Cooder, produced the “Buena Vista
Social Club” album in 1998, he brought to the forefront the
music of Cuba.
With the Grammy Award-winning album and the award-winning
documentary by Wim Wenders in 1999, Ibrahim Ferrer, a singer, was
one of the artists to receive long-awaited fame at age 72.
Ferrer released his first self-titled album in 1999 and his
second album is scheduled for release later this year.
On Friday and Saturday, Jan. 18 and 19, Ferrer and a 15-piece
orchestra will perform at Royce Hall to preview the upcoming
release of Ferrer’s second album.
The music will be a testament to the idea that political
ideologies and allegiances need not destroy people’s homes
and kill human beings. This “world music” intends to
truly unite people living in a fragile world, who must work
together and appreciate each other for their unique
contributions.