Nachito Herrera and His Emotional Meeting with Students of the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory (+Photos)
Cuban-American musician Nachito Herrera visited the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory on January 25th as one of the activities of his stay in Cuba for the 38th International Jazz Plaza Festival.
Ignacio «Nachito» Herrera was born in Santa Clara, but has lived in the United States for more than twenty years. He holds a Bachelor´s Degree of Music, majoring in piano, and was educated at the University of the Arts of Cuba (ISA); he has won an Emmy, a Grammy, and four Minnesota Music Awards.
Along with his producer and wife, Aurora González, he brought a delegation of foreign musicians and representatives of U.S.-based charities.
These people have come to Cuba in the past to promote solidarity between Minnesota and Cuba.
One of the main reasons for their visit to the Student Center was to donate accessories and musical instruments to the students of the institution.
Nachito explained that these instruments have a sad history, but one that will change in the hands of these new musicians.
In fact, their former owners were music students who had to abandon their studies in the United States for economic reasons.
This would not be the first time that Nachito Herrera has come to Cuba with donations, since last January he brought about 120,000 pounds, including medical supplies and musical instruments; he also assured that this channel of cooperation has provided and will continue to provide solidarity to the Antillean country for a long time, as his role as a mediator between the two nations has grown stronger.
It was precisely the honor and recognition of the homeland that was one of the values that the pianist instilled in the students.
At the meeting, he discussed Cuba’s current financial situation, but urged respect and admiration for the Cuban nation, regardless of the context.
The renowned pianist performed a musical piece with the school band and Maestro Dagoberto González; it was undoubtedly one of the most emotional moments of the morning.
At the end of the meeting, Nachito expressed his pride in working with such talented young people.
This Sunday, January 29, at 5:00 p.m., at the Lázaro Peña Theater, he will perform at the Cuba Vive Gala. Finally, Dagoberto González and his Camerata Amadeo Roldán and the Jazz Band of the Conservatory will perform, along with many other guests of Nachito Herrera.
Translated by Luis E. Amador Dominguez
