Cuban band

Tradicional Cubano

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(5.0)Read all 8 reviews
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About Tradicional Cubano

Deeply rooted in Cuban Traditional music from the 1920’s to the 40’s. Best playing Danzon, Cha Cha Cha, Mambo, Son, Guaracha and Boleros!
Cuban band
London
Public liability insurance of £1 million

Tradicional Cubano is deeply rooted in Cuban Traditional music from the 1920’s and 40’s. It's founder, Jose Zalba-Smith, son of Javier Zalba (former member of Irakere, Cubanismo and the Buena Vista Social Club Orchestra), is strongly committed to continue his father's legacy. Javier Zalba has strong links to the band and performs with them in both Cuba and the UK. The group takes inspiration from composers such as Miguel Matamoros, Eduardo Sanchez de Fuentes, Sindo Garay, Benny More and many more. Tradicional Cubano have performed in a wide range of venues across the UK including The Pumphouse, Aldeburgh Suffolk, National Theatre, Forge, The Cuban Moorgate, The Savoy, The Langham, St James’s Church Piccadilly, St Peter’s Notting Hill, The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Royal Northern College of Music and The Duke of Cumberland in Whitstable, to mention a few. Jose and Tradicional Cubano are in demand and currently touring England and Wales. They also run successful educational music projects at the Royal Northern College of Music, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Oxford Flute Summer School, Philippa Davies International Flute Summer School, The Scottish International Flute Summer School and the Royal Birmingham Music Conservatoire.

Tradicional Cubano
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5 out of 5
6 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Tradicional Cubano's Reviews

From Encore customers:

GF
Grace F
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

We hired Tradicional Cubano for our wedding reception and we really cannot recommend them highly enough! Their communication leading up to the event was brilliant and on the day they arrived on time and set themselves up without asking anything from us. They are incredibly talented musicians and their performance was amazing - we and our guests had so much fun dancing to them and everyone was left wanting more at the end. We are so grateful to them for being so lovely and helping to make our day so special, we would recommend to anyone.

Reply from Tradicional Cubano
2 months ago

Dear Grace and Alex, HUGE THANKS for such a lovely review, much appreciated. We absolutely loved your wedding. Thank you for looking after us so well too. You all danced, laughed, sang away with us; what a fantastic evening! Thank you again for inviting us to your big day again. Many many happy years to come full of Health and Love! Jose and Tradicional Cubano

EH
Ed H
11 months ago
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5 out of 5

Superlatives are sufficient to describe how great Tradicional Cubano were. From arrival they had the biggest smiles, setting the tone for the next few hours. Every guest commented on how great the band were - they really made our day special

Reply from Tradicional Cubano
11 months ago

Hello Ed! Thank you so much for such lovely and kind words, we really appreciate it. I am SO PLEASED that you loved my band and our music. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to you both again for your wedding! It was a lovely day and the setting was just fantastic. Thank you again! Jose and Traditional Cubano

CR
Catriona R
1 year ago
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5 out of 5

Absolutely fabulous! Would book them again in a heartbeat. Seriously good, professional musicians, who were genuinely concerned that we were happy with every aspect of their involvement both before, during and after the event - which we were! Good, friendly communication in the run up - very reassuring as they travelled some distance to be with us. Could not have booked a better band.

Reply from Tradicional Cubano
1 year ago

Thank you for your lovely review Catriona. We had a fabulous time and thank you again for looking after us so well. Health and Happiness to you all! Gracias! Jose and Tradicional Cubano!

PR
Piotr R
2 years ago
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5 out of 5

Jose and the band were absolutely awesome! They played during a cocktail reception at our wedding. Half of our guests (and the bride) were latin so definitely a demanding crowd. Everyone loved their performance. Communication pre event was great. Super warm and kind people

Reply from Tradicional Cubano
1 year ago

Thank you for your lovely review Piotr. We had a fabulous time and thank you again for looking after us so well. Health and Happiness to you all! Gracias! Jose and Tradicional Cubano!

Read all 6 reviews

From other customers:

RW
Royal D
10 years ago

It doesn't get more authentic than this!

JT
John C
8 years ago

What a fantastic band, incredible musicians!

Encore badges
5 gigs
Experienced: 5 bookings through Encore
Saved the day!
Booked for an Encore gig with less than 24 hours’ notice
6th Anniversary
This act has been working with Encore for over 6 years

Tradicional Cubano's Song list

Buena Vista Social Club Songs plus
Son de la Loma
Lagrimas Negras
Quizas
Vacilon
Guantanamera
Manisero
Capullito de Aleli
Sabor a mi
Drume Negrita
El cuarto de Tula
Almendra
La mujer de Antonio
El platanal de Bartolo

Tradicional Cubano's Prices

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£1100
Up to 2 hours£1100
Up to 3 hours£1100
Musicianship
Genres:
World music, Cuban music
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Types:
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Event types:
Hotel / Restaurant event, Wedding, Wedding proposal, Funeral / Memorial service, Church service, Bar / Club / Venue event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Concert, Recording session, Theatre / Show, Cruise, Burns night, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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