Young Cuban musicians wrap up Atlantic Canada tour
For six years, Canada's Los Primos project has sent instruments to badly under-funded music programs across Cuba. This month, some Atlantic Canadian audiences were rewarded with performances by a group of talented youngsters who benefited from the Halifax-based program.
Since 1998, the Los Primos project has delivered more than 250 instruments and other musical gear to Cuban schools and bands. The idea first occurred to founder and organizer Jeff Goodspeed when he met a Cuban trumpet player touring Halifax in 1996.
"We loved the way he played -- it was great," said Goodspeed. "Finally, I had a look at his instrument. It was pretty pitiful."
The musician's horn was in poor state of repair, but not his musical abilities. "There was no compression left in his trumpet at all," said Goodspeed. "It was so warn, it was leaking everywhere. But he was still playing great."
Goodspeed and his friends helped the visiting musician â and the rest of the band â get new instruments. He soon learned that although there are many Cuban students interested in music, schools often lack adequate instruments for them.
Goodspeed, who is also director of Acadia University's Jazz Camp, eventually developed the Los Primos Society. The group seeks donations of instruments Canadians no longer use. A Halifax music store makes any necessary repairs and the instruments are then sent to schools in Cuba.
Participating schools in Atlantic Canada also raise funds for a music-study exchange program between Canadian and Cuban students. This month, a group of award-winning students from Cienfuegos toured Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Nova Scotian students, who travelled to Cuba last year, helped raise the funds for the May tour.
"They practice a lot everyday. They have rehearsal for about four hours in the morning," 13-year-old trumpet player Jeff Hartlin said of his Cuban colleagues.
"Their music is a lot different than ours. But it's really cool," said Hartlin. "They have an awesome sound--just really cool."
The young Cubans wrap up their Halifax tour this week with performances in Dartmouth and Wolfville. Their visit ends with a farewell party in Halifax Sunday.
With files from Phlis McGregor, The Arts Report