Culture
Legendary Cuban Group to Visit Nelsonville During First American Tour
< < Back to legendary-cuban-group-visit-nelsonville-during-first-american-tourStuart’s Opera House in Nelsonville will present an evening of authentic Cuban music this Thursday, with Havana’s Conjunto Chappottin y Sus Estrellas taking the stage at 8 p.m.
Chappottín y Sus Estrellas is one of the top Cuban “son” groups on the scene today, featuring a mix of brass and reed instruments. This is the first North American tour in the group’s 58-year history.
The band, which dates back to the 1940s, was founded by Arsenio Rodriguez, one Cuba’s most renowned band leaders and a major influence on Latin Jazz and Salsa for decades. With his Conjunto, Rodriguez was the first to add reed and brass instruments to a Latin band.
When Rodriguez left Cuba in 1950 to undergo an ophthalmological treatment in New York, he handed the musical direction over to his first trumpet player, Felix Chappottín. The band was renamed “Felix Chappottín y su Conjunto Todos Estrellas.”
Chappottín directed the band successfully until his death in 1983. From 1983 until the 1990s, his son, Angel Chappottín Valdes, carried on as musical director. Since then, the grandson of Felix Chappottín, Jesus Angel Chappottín Coto, has directed the band together with singer/percussionist, Miguelito Cuni Jr.
Floor seats for Thursday’s show are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Balcony seats are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, and box seats are $30 in advance or $35 at the door.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 740-753-1924 or visit stuartsoperahouse.org.