Rubén González

Rubén González, a legendary Afro-Cuban pianist, rose to international fame in the late 1990s after collaborating with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and Ry Cooder on the acclaimed albums "A Toda Cuba Le Gusta" and "Buena Vista Social Club." Despite retiring from music in the mid-1980s due to arthritis, González made a remarkable comeback, releasing his debut solo album "Introducing...Ruben Gonzalez" at the age of 78 under Cooder's label, World Circuit. Born in 1919, González showed early talent as a pianist, eventually joining Enrique Jorrín's band and becoming a key figure in the Afro-Cuban music scene until his passing in 2003 in Havana, Cuba.

A classically trained musician, González graduated from the Cienfuegos Conservatoire in 1934 before pursuing a career in music over medicine, moving to Havana in 1941 to immerse himself in the city's vibrant music scene. Throughout his career, he collaborated with influential artists like Arsenio Rodriguez and Mongo Santamaria, leaving a lasting impact on the Cuban music landscape. Despite a brief retirement, González returned to the spotlight in the late 1990s, enjoying newfound acclaim with the release of albums like "Introducing..." and "Chanchullo" in the U.S. before his passing at the age of 84, leaving behind a rich legacy as one of Cuba's finest pianists.