Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter, Alex Cuba, has just received a Latin Grammy award for his recently released album, Mendó.
With four Latin Grammy’s already at home, Cuba’s most recent nomination brings his total career nominations to a whopping eight. He has also been nominated for three Grammy’s, and has won three Juno Awards. Not to mention, his performance outfit from the 2020 Latin Grammy’s is now featured in the Grammy Museum.
Alex’s nomination is in the Best Singer-Songwriter category for Mendó, which came out in May 2021. Once again, he is the only independent artist to be nominated in this category this year.
Mendó, meaning “substance of the soul”, is a powerful project filled with international collaborations. From the healing voice of Grammy Award winning Lila Downs on “Mundo Nuevo”, to commissioning a 13-piece horn band from his native country of Cuba, Alex’s vibrant new album reaches all the way around the world while ironically being stuck at home. Using his art as his refusal to be trapped by the circumstances surrounding him, Alex shares with listeners his “Mendó”, the substance of his soul, on his most powerful project to date.
Alex Cuba has recently been featured along music icons in The Grammy Museum‘s “On The Red Carpet” exhibit, and is set to honour Latin music icon Carlos Santana as part of a musical tribute to the artist at the 34th Hispanic Heritage Award show. where Santana will receive the “Legend Award”. Alex recently launched a new online cover series on YouTube, and has announced that physical copies of his most recently released album, Mendó, will be available next month.
British Columbia Tour Dates:
- Oct 14 – Rotary Centre For the Arts, Kelowna
- Oct 16 – Performing Arts Centre, Vernon
- Oct 17 – Frank Venables Centre, Oliver
- Oct 18 – Key City Theatre, Cranbrook
- Oct 21 – The Orpheum, Vancouver (Streaming)
Biography:
Though raised in Artemisa, an hour outside of Havana, Alex Cuba’s artistry is as far-flung as the place he has settled and lived for over 15 years: Smithersr. His music at once incorporates his roots and is a unique amalgam of styles, having collaborated with artists ranging from Jason Mrazto Ron Sexsmithand Nelly Furtado; and bringing together melodies, popsoul hooks and rock chords in songs that may seem to bear little resemblance to traditional Cuban form.
A forward-thinking, indie-minded artist, Alex has amassed a steadily growing following among critics and fans. With over 20 awards and nominations to his name, including 4 Latin Grammys and two Junos Awards and three Grammy nominations.
Alex carries his Cuba within, incorporating subtle jazz influences, gained from his early years as a bass player in Cuba, and tasteful, sophisticated chords and lyrics expressing his poetry in an undeniably Cuban way. His growing body of work defines a unique musical place in the Latin diaspora.
Building on the 2017 Grammy nominated release Lo Unico Constante with its back to roots introspection, his latest collection of songs was released in September 2019 on the full length album “Sublime”, featuring six songs with Latin American singers and songwriters. Alex joined with Toronto based engineer, John Bailey to record in Gibson’s BC at The Farm Studio.The decision to record all the instruments came to Alex Cuba years ago when making demos for new songs and wanting to share that undeniable personal sound.
Alex released his eighth solo studio album in May 2021. The project has been featured on Billboard and by People en Español, reached #6 on the KCRW Top 30, and has been featured across CBC and the Postmedia Network. Led by Alex’s first English single and video in over five years, Mendó has quickly been gaining traction here at home and around the world.