There was a recent change to the lineup and Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos will not be headlining for this tour any longer. SEE EDIT BELOW
There are certain sounds that feel eternal: The warm wash of brass, the hypnotic sway of percussion, and the aching sweetness of voices that can move mountains. Out of the backstreets and dance halls of Havana’s Buenavista quarter came one of those sounds, carried into the world by musicians like Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, and Israel “Cachao” López who defined Cuba’s soul for generations as the Buena Vista Social Club.
The newest incarnation of the social music club, led by veteran trombonist Jesús “Aguaje” Ramos is keeping tradition alive since the original group organized in 1996 by the British record label, World Circuit, disbanded in 2015.
Ramos was born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, in 1951, where he first gained renown for his work with the Afro-Cuban All Stars, Estrellas de Areito, and collaborations with icons like Ferrer, Rubén González, and Omara Portuondo. He joined Buena Vista in 1997, and his long career has made him a respected guardian of Cuba’s musical traditions like son cubano, bolero, danzón, cha-cha-cha and more.
The Buena Vista Orchestra is Ramos’s modern vessel for that tradition. It unites veteran musicians from the original Buena Vista Social Club with younger generations who carry both respect and fresh energy. Onstage, audiences can expect to hear beloved classics like “Chan Chan,” “El Cuarto de Tula,” and “Candela,” along with lesser-known gems that Ramos and the ensemble have revived.
Much of their global recognition can be traced to Wim Wenders’ 1999 documentary Buena Vista Social Club. The film turned once-local legends, some well into their twilight years, into international stars, drawing new generations into the romance of Cuban jazz and the lived history behind it. Suddenly, Cuban music wasn’t just heritage, it was part of the world’s zeitgeist, soundtracking coffeehouses, nightclubs, and college dorm rooms alike.
Now, under Ramos’s guidance, the Buena Vista Orchestra keeps that flame alive. It’s more than nostalgia; it’s proof that music rooted in tradition can continue to evolve, that rhythm and memory can dance together in the present. In their hands, Havana still breathes –timeless, unbroken, and gloriously alive.
Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos and His Buena Vista Orchestra perform 7:30pm Friday, Oct. 17 at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, and Sunday, Oct. 19 at the Miami Beach Bandshell in Miami Beach. jesusaguajeramostour.com ~ Abel Folgar
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THE BUENA VISTA ORCHESTRA is the world’s premier Cuban music repertory ensemble, carrying the torch of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club. Featuring a powerhouse lineup of musicians who performed in the Buena Vista Social Club in Havana and with credits alongside Celia Cruz, Omara Portuondo, Afro-Cuban All Stars, Chucho Valdés, Willie Colón and more, the group brings Havana’s golden sound to life for today’s audiences.
The 2025 U.S. Tour is led by virtuoso Cuban violinist, Rolando Morejón Reyes, and a stellar cast of Grammy-winning vocalists, fiery horn players and master percussionists. Together, they deliver an electrifying journey through the rhythms, melodies and spirit that made Cuban music a global phenomenon. With millions of tickets and albums sold worldwide, acclaimed documentaries and historic Broadway productions, this is the definitive Cuban music experience—continuing the Buena Vista tradition while giving a new generation of musicians and audiences the chance to share in its timeless magic.
