Ahi Na Ma

El Swing in November features live music from Rey Crespo & Cuban Ensemble.

Rey was born in Havana to a mother who herself was a famous singer, and spent 9 years at Cuba’s premiere music academies, studying composition, arrangement, guitar and bass. His emergence as a professional musician – bass virtuoso and bandleader – came via recording and performing with great Cuban artists such as Elena Burke and sonero mayor Raul Planas as well as Omara Portuondo, Orlando ‘Cachaito’ Lopez, and the legendary pianist Ruben Gonzalez – all founder members of the phenomenally, and globally, successful Buena Vista Social Club.

Rey Crespo has been the musical director of several bands in the UK such as Balangandan, Sabroso All Stars, Son Yambu, Cuban Ensemble, Ska Cubano and others. Rey was also a music producer for the Cuban music company EGREM and has produced several projects in France, Cuba and the UK.

Rey will be leading his 7-piece band through a set of pure Salsa with a little Cuban Timba on the side.