Roberto Fonseca

Born in Havana in late March 1975, Roberto Fonseca has been described in Cuba as the most important piano player of his generation. Since the start of his international career, Fonseca has amazed and surprised everyone with his unique combination of virtuosity, versatility and charisma. In 1990 at the early age of 15, he began to perform at the international "Jazz Plaza" festivals in Havana as pianist with the groups of the Amadeo Roldan School and the "Escuela Nacional de la Música" (ENA). He joined singer Augusto Enríquez’s group in 1996 with whom he participated in the international festivals of Cuban music in Italy and also on many prestigious television channels such as RAI. In 1997 he and Javier Zalba created the Temperamento group and in 1998 recorded the CD "En el Comienzo" which won the prize of "Best Jazz CD" at the CUBADISCO Fair 1999. During 1999 and 2001 he was dedicated to the recordings of his three solo works and participated in the production of two Cuban funk and rap records. He also participated in a large number of recordings with different national and international musicians. He recorded the soundtrack to the film "Black" by French artist P. Maraval. He was invited to be part of Buena Vista Social Club™ presents Ibrahim Ferrer’s orchestra in 2001 to replace the maestro Rubén González, one of the outstanding artists in the history of Cuban music. Despite the huge challenge of this new role, Fonseca had no problems assuming it. His position in the Ibrahim Ferrer Orchestra has given him a great platform in front of press and public alike. He has charmed them all. He has become a key musician for this orchestra since then. He has toured worldwide and has participated on over 300 shows with the astonishing Cuban singer. He has also participated on a tour with Omara Portuondo in 2002 on her European tour with more then 40 shows. In 2002 he was one of the most acclaimed musicians on the Tokyo Jazz Festival, and played together with Herbbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Michael Becker, and Bryan Blade among others. On 2003 he went on tour with Ibrahim Ferrer promoting “Buenos Hermanos tour” that went to US, Europe and Asia on more then 80 shows. Fonseca was acclaimed in every show by the audience and by the critics. In May 2003 he performed 8 shows opening for Mr Ferrer with his group Temperamento in fantastic venues such as Frankfurt Alter Oper in Frankfurt, Palais de Congres in Paris or the amazing Albert Hall in London with huge success On 2004 , apart from touring with Ibrahim Ferrer in many countries in East Europe , South America ( Brazil , Argentina , Peru , …) he has started another trip in his career prepare his first solo album after 4 years of silence and the first one after he started in the project Buena Vista Social Club™, What is he capable of doing? 2005 will have the answer………… Some Roberto’s highlights: USA LOS ANGELES TIMES (“Remarkably fluid Roberto Fonseca, backing Ferrer”) FRANCIA MADAME FIGARO (il chantera en compagnie d’un grand orchestre de seize musiciens dans lequel figurent quelques pointures, comme le pianuiste Roberto Fonseca) USA L.A. JAZZ ESCENE (Pianist Roberto Fonseca took over the piano for a couple of instrumentals and for Ibrahim Ferrer’s Performance. Fonsceca’s playing is more modern, energic and jazzy, clearly influenced by Valdes”) USA BOSTON GLOBE (“Also on stage were pianist Roberto Fonseca with a flair and polish”) HARTFORD COURANT (“…during a solo, the piano player Roberto Fonseca drew huge applause after a series of flabbergasting runs up and down the keyboard”)
montuno.com Ibrahim Ferrer Omara Portuondo Roberto Fonseca Manuel Galban Ale Siqueira Cachaito Lopez