Rubén González

Ruben Gonzalez(鲁本•冈萨雷兹)(1920—2003) 古巴三大钢琴手之一，看起来仙风道骨的Ruben Gonzalez，年轻时放弃了古典音乐和医科的学习来到哈瓦那做全职的乐手。80年代中Ruben选择隐退，却又在1996年遇上人生的另一次转折:家里钢琴坏了多年的Ruben到Egrem录音室练琴时，恰巧被RyCooder等三位制作人听到了，于是他们立刻邀请他弹奏钢琴，又在短短两天时间内为他录下了首张个人专辑。Ruben有着相当灵活的头脑和不错的幽默感，他的演奏糅合了古典、爵士及古巴本土音乐，游走于优雅感性及愉悦奔放之间。2001年他还和Ferrer、Omara到香港艺术节演出，但后来他的健康状况急转直下，被迫自公开演奏的生活中退休。2003年12月8日仙逝，享年84岁。
Rubén González was one of the last of Cubas great Afro-Cuban piano players. Although he had played and recorded with the band led by Enrique Jorrín, the creator of the cha-cha, for a quarter of a century, he had retired from music by the mid-80s. Things began to change when González recorded with the Afro-Cuban All Stars in 1996. The album, A Toda Cuba Le Gusta, released the following year, helped to inspire an international fascination for Afro-Cuban music and brought González to the attention of a global audience. His performance on the Ry Cooder-produced album Buena Vista Social Club made him an international phenomenon. Signing a contract with Cooders label, World Circuit, González released his debut solo album, Introducing...Ruben Gonzalez, at the age of 78.
Showing great promise, as a pianist, from an early age, González graduated from the Cienfuegos Conservatoire in 1934. Although he briefly attended medical school, hoping to become a doctor, the lure of music proved unsurmountable. Leaving school, González moved to Havana to become a full-time musician in 1941. After recording with influential multi-instrumentalist Arsenio Rodriguez, González joined Orquestra de los Hermanos, a group featuring Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria. Following an extended period in Panama and Argentina, during which he worked with tango musicians, he returned to Havana and played with a series of cabaret bands. In the early 60s, González joined Enrique Jorríns band, remaining with the group until Jorríns death. Although he assumed leadership of the band, González was forced, by arthritis, to announce his retirement. He maintained a low-key presence until 1996. During his return, however, González enjoyed the fame that was long overdue; he released two albums in the U.S, including 1997s Introducing... and 2000s Chanchullo. The octogenarian pianist died in December of 2003 in his home of Havana, Cuba.