“We are enthusiastic and happy I would say. Once again after 13 years, the band arrived in this nation so far from Cuba and with a culture different from ours,” the percussionist told the Cuban Ministry of Culture’s website.
The musician stated that the orchestra is proud to bring Cuba’s culture to Japan; the music composed by his father, Juan Formell, founder of Los Van Van, has no borders.
The orchestra gave five concerts. “They were incredible. Just by looking at the photos and videos, you know everything,” Formell said.
He noted that he gave master lectures at the Cervantes Institutes in Tokyo and Fukuoka. “I told them not only about my beginning of the band, but also about the influence of watching my father compose and arrange in the 1970s in the recordings made at Cuba’s state-owned record company EGREM.
Formell, leader of Los Van Van, said that the orchestra is returning to Cuba after two tours of Europe this year, in countries as diverse as Spain, Germany, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Mexico, Peru, and successful performances in the United States.
“I hope our audience in Cuba joins us for the launch of the new CD “Modo Van Van” in October. It is our greatest wish. See you soon,” the artist concluded.
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