Live filmed set by the cast of the Buena Vista Social Club musical at NPR Music’s Tiny Desk, published May 27, 2025 and hosted by Felix Contreras. Inspired by the 1996 sessions that revived the Cuban son of before and after the 1959 revolution, the show moves between the 1940s and the making of the landmark record. Scaled down for the Tiny Desk, it loses none of its magic. After “El Cuarto de Tula,” we meet the young versions of Compay Segundo (Da’Von Moody), Ibrahim Ferrer (Wesley Wray) and Omara Portuondo (Isa Antonetti), whose harmonies shine on “La Negra Tomasa,” before Antonetti takes on the bolero-son standard “Lágrimas Negras.” Mel Semé, as the older Ferrer, leads “Candela,” with Marco Ramirez, who wrote the book, acting as emcee. The band gathers some of New York’s finest interpreters of classic Cuban music, honored with a 2025 Special Tony Award. Keywords: Buena Vista Social Club, Tiny Desk, NPR, 2025, live, Cuban son, full concert.
Setlist
- El Cuarto de Tula
- La Negra Tomasa
- Lágrimas Negras
- Candela
Personnel & credits
- Wesley Wray — vocals
- Da'Von Moody — vocals
- Isa Antonetti — vocals
- Mel Semé — vocals
- Marco Ramirez — master of ceremonies (book writer)
- Marco Paguia — music director, piano, güiro
- Renesito Avich — tres, vocals
- David Oquendo — guitar, vocals
- Leonardo Reyna — piano
- Maximilien Darché — trumpet, flugelhorn
- Hery Paz — flute, clarinet, backing vocals
- Eddie "Arnoldito" Venegas — trombone, backing vocals
- Gustavo "Chacho" Schartz — bass, backing vocals
- Román Diaz — bongos, cowbell
- Javier Díaz — congas
- Felix Contreras — producer
