Since they formed in 1990 and cut their teeth busking on the streets of Havana, Gema Corredera and Pável Urkiza have incorporated various sounds into their modern take on Cuban music. Their approach to music is known as neo-filin, a genre known for bringing together the feeling of '40s bolero with nueva trova, the politically-tinged Cuban form that appeared during the '60s.
The latter musical movement made stars out of Pablo Milanés and Frank Delgado while also influencing a large number of musicians - especially luminaries of the nueva cancion movement who used their words and music to fight dictatorships throughout the Americas of the 1980s.
Now making their home in Spain, Gema Y Pável cite influences as diverse as Caetano Veloso, Fito Paez, and even the Beatles. However, listening to their latest effort Ofrenda a Borinquen, one notices much more - they borrow from flamenco, jazz, bossa nova, and several other musical styles. It's the fruit of two decades on the road.
Ernest Barteldes
Gema y Pável. Sunday, February 13. The Colony Theater, 1040 Lincoln Rd., Miami Beach. The show starts at 7 p.m. and tickets cost $20 to $25 for adults, and $18 for students and seniors. Call 305-237-3010 or visit mdc.edu.
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