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Kelvis Ochoa

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Cuban musician

Kelvis Ochoa (born 1970) is a Cuban singer, songwriter, and composer. He co-composed the original soundtrack from the movie Habana Blues and is also a member of the Cuban band Habana Abierta.

History

Childhood

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Ochoa was born in Las Tunas, Cuba in 1970. At the age of 3, he moved with his parents to Isla de la Juventud ("Isle of Youth"), where he was raised. The island is located approximately 100 kilometers south of Havana.

Ochoa's father was a percussionist in his grandfather's band, and their performances inspired Ochoa to pursue music. He began playing conga tunes with friends in the streets and made his stage debut at the age of 14, singing a song by Cuban Sucu Sucu musician Mongo Rives at an inter-school festival. He later took guitar lessons and began writing poetry and songs, deliberately avoiding classical music training.

Musical style

Ochoa's hometown played a significant role in shaping his musical style. Isla de la Juventud is known as the birthplace of Sucu Sucu, a musical tradition characterized by a soloist improvising in response to a repeated chorus, accompanied by various instruments. Kelvis Ochoa blends traditional Cuban rhythms such as Sucu Sucu, Cha Cha Cha, Macuta, and Songo with modern genres, including funk, rock, and international pop.

Career

After moving to Havana in 1992, Ochoa formed a rock band called Cuatro Gatos (Four Cats). A pivotal moment in his career came when he met Cuban musician Pável Urkiza, a member of the duo "Gema y Pavel," who was establishing himself as a music producer. Urkiza produced Ochoa's contributions to Habana Oculta, a July 1996 compilation of Cuban artists released on the Madrid-based Nubenegra label. This record led to the creation of the band Habana Abierta, which quickly found success with their hit Havana Abierta under the Spanish label BMG Ariola.The group gained popularity in Spain, selling out concerts in the 1990s, and in 2003, they returned to Cuba for a triumphant performance at La Tropical. A Documentary about the band, directed by Jorge Perugorría and Arturo Soto, captured their journey.

Ochoa also launched a solo career with his album Kelvis, released by BMG Ariola in 2001. In 2009, he collaborated with fellow Cuban musician Descemer Bueno on the album Amor y Música, which was produced and co-written by Bueno and released on Cuba's EGREM label.

Together, the two men won the 2006 Goya Award and the 2006 “Premio de la Musica of the best movie soundtrack” for Havana Blues.

In 2013-14, Swiss film-maker Beat Borter directed a documentary titled Yo sé de un lugar - Música y vida de Kelvis Ochoa (I Know of a Place - The Music and Life of Kelvis Ochoa).

Awards

  • 2006: Premio de la Musica of the best movie soundtrack for Habana Blues (Madrid, Spain)
  • 2006: Goya of the best movie soundtrack for Habana Blues (Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España)

Discography

  • 1996: Habana Oculta (compilation, BMG Ariola)
  • 1997: Habana Abierta (with Habana Abierta, BMG Ariola)
  • 1999: 24 Horas (with Habana Abierta, BMG Ariola)
  • 1999: La Isla
  • 2001: Kelvis (BMG Ariola)
  • 2005: Boomerang (con Habana Abierta)
  • 2008: Amor Y Musica (EGREM)
  • 2014: Dolor con amor se cura (BIS)
  • 2018: Calle Amores (Universal)
  • 2021: 50 Grados (BisMusic)

References

  1. "Kelvis Ochoa". Discogs. Retrieved 2022-10-04.

External links

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