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Primo Cubano, which translates into Cuban Cousins, has been practicing and  performing traditional Cuban music for the past 16 years in Maine. In June of 2023, they  were invited to perform at the 2024 Havana Jazz Festival. A friend of the band, Greg  Martens, a local producer and promotor, extended the invitation and was a prime  component for bringing Primo Cubano to Cuba for the first time.  

Trumpet player Marc Chillemi, quickly began organizing the trip with Greg, to bring 7  musicians from the group. In addition, Greg invited another local artist, Darby Sabin  from Farmington. An all-star band was put together for Darby by Greg, which included  such artists as George Porter Jr, one of the founders of the New Orleans funk band The  Meters, and drummer and percussionist Wally Ingram, from Sheryl Crow’s band of the  90s.  

By October of 2023, Primo Cubano singer Eric Winter joined Marc to help organize the  trip. Eric has been to Cuba several times to study with some of Havana’s greatest  musicians. Eric scheduled a week of lessons and rehearsal sessions with percussionist  Rolando Salgado Palacio, from the Afro-Cuban Allstars. Primo Cubano rented a  rehearsal studio in the artist district called, Verdado. 

The band was scheduled at two venues, and by the third day Primo Cubano was asked  to perform at some of the local restaurants and bars throughout the city. The most  memorable experience was when many of the local musicians and festival organizers  commented; “Primo Cubano is the first group from the United States to perform their  music” – Son Cubano, the national music of Cuba. Not only was this an unimaginable  experience, it was the long-life dream of conga player, Lenny Hatch.  

Primo Cubano was invited to return to Cuba to perform at the 40th Annual Havana Jazz  Festival in January of 2025. This experience has inspired the group to keep learning  and practicing this music they love and have shared with salsa dancers and music  lovers throughout New England for over a decade. 

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A Havana New Year’s Eve Bash featuring Primo Cubano!

One Longfellow Square

A Havana New Year’s Eve Bash featuring Primo Cubano!

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