Learn with world-famous Grammy Award winner, Juan de Marcos González, a central figure in Cuban music.
Educational Program
His work with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, the Buena Vista Social Club, Ruben González, Ibrahim Ferrer, Sierra Maestra, and others has made an extraordinary contribution to raising the profile of Cuban music throughout the world. His contributions in music education are also impressive.
Vivo the Movie
Juan appears in the Sony Pictures Animation film Vivo in 2021 as the voice of Andrés, Vivo’s owner. González reprised his role in the Spanish dub of the movie.
About Juan
Juan de Marcos González studied classical and tres guitar at the Ignacio Cervantes Conservatory and with maestros Leopoldina Nuñez and Vicente “Gutun” Gonzalez. Later took courses on orchestral conduction and contemporary harmony at Goldsmith college, London.
Growing up, González was a fan of American and British rock music before rediscovering his Cuban roots and establishing a “traditional” Cuban band, Sierra Maestra, in 1978. González’s stated goal was to keep the torch of Cuban folk music alive for a younger generation. Sierra Maestra has recorded fourteen albums in Cuba, and toured internationally.
González became a key member of the Buena Vista Social Club, using his contacts in the Cuban music world to locate musicians. When Ry Cooder arrived in Havana for recording, González himself was working an “all star” album tribute to the golden era greats of Cuban music, the Afro-Cuban All Stars, featuring many of the same musicians who comprise the Buena Vista Social Club. Subsequently, González led the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Rubén González on their European and American tours, and directed the Buena Vista Social Club concerts in Amsterdam, Mexico City and at Carnegie Hall.
He speaks Russian, English and Spanish and has some knowledge of Lucumi and Abakua.