Eliades Ochoa

Eliades Ochoa

Eliades Ochoa is a Cuban guitarist and singer from Loma de la Avispa, in eastern Cuba near Santiago de Cuba. Born in 1946, he begins his professional career in the 1960s and works in a line of Cuban traditional music that includes son, latin jazz and salsa.

Career

He starts out with the Oriental Quintet and later joins Septeto Típico Oriental. In 1978, he becomes director and singer of Cuarteto Patria. With that group, he records A una coqueta in 1993 and The lion is loose in 1995.

In 1986, he records with Compay Segundo, also known as Francisco Repilado, on El Chan Chan. The two perform in Washington, Guadeloupe and the Dominican Republic in 1989. Ochoa also takes part in the 1997 recording by Buena Vista Social Club, which wins a Grammy Award.

Collaborations and recordings

His other recordings include CubAfrica with Manu Dibango in 1998, Sublime Ilusión in 1999, and a Virgin compilation, La collección cubana: Eliades Ochoa, in 2006. He also records Son de Oriente, Chanchaneando with Compay Segundo, La venganza de Perico with the saxophonist Dibango, and El Guateque de Don Tomás with Bob Dylan.

Recognition

His song Píntate los labios María receives Lucas Prizes and other international recognition, and his recordings earn several gold records. He tours in around 40 countries.

Associated acts

Ochoa is associated with Cuarteto Patria and Buena Vista Social Club.