Smithers, BC and Artimesa, Cuba. What do they have in common?

Both have been home to two-time Juno Award winner Alex Cuba. Musically, he lives everywhere in between.

The Kitimat Concert Society kicks off its 2008/2009 concert season on Saturday September 27 by introducing, live and in concert at the Mount Elizabeth Theatre, singer/songwriter Alex Cuba.

Alex was born in Cuba and is the son of guitar player and music teacher Valentin Puentes.

From his earliest years in Artemisa, he was immersed in music. At four years of age Alex made his first stage appearance on national TV, playing claves (a percussion instrument) in a group directed by his father.

He started playing guitar at age six, and went on to study tres, percussion and bass as well as guitar. At 14, he began focusing his studies on American jazz and funk.

Alex won a National Song Writing Competition in Cuba when he was only 18, but it wasn’t until he moved to Canada in 1999 that he recognized his gift as a singer/songwriter.

He credits Canada for allowing him to make the music he has always dreamed of – characterized by moving compositions and expressive vocals.

Now in his 30s, he is a veteran musician. His music reflects the Latin and African influences of his heritage, with a mix of funk, jazz and pop.

Alex says he composes his songs and their arrangements virtually simultaneously, which undoubtedly accounts for the seamless manner in which they go together.

He has performed internationally in the UK, Japan, as well as the US and Canada. With the single “Lo Mismo Que Yo” in 2006, he rose to the Top 20 of BBC Radio 2.

He received his first Juno nomination in 2001 and in 2006 walked away with the Juno for World Music Album. In 2008 he won The World Music Album Award for the second time.

Today he is composing some of the most innovative and original Cuban-inspired music in the world.

On September 27, come and see why Alex Cuba is so well respected and why his music is so enticing.

The performance starts at 8 p.m. in the Mount Elizabeth Theatre. Advance tickets are available at Book Masters: Adults $25, Seniors $23, and Students $15.

Tickets are also available at the door for an additional $2.

Season tickets are now available and afford you all seven concerts for just $133 for Adults, $119 for Seniors, $70 for Students or $386 for family. New this season, we are offering a Flex Pass which will get you 4 tickets for the concerts of your choice for just $88 for Adults, $80 for Seniors, $50 for Students and $260 for family.

For more information on the other upcoming concerts, go to www.kitimatconcerts.com or contact Michael Jeffery at 250-632-4008.

We hope to see you soon and we hope you enjoy this season’s presentations.