Jose Conde and the CubaNOLA Arts Collective present a tribute to Juan-Carlos Formell at Snug Harbor, New Orleans’ premier jazz venue. Conde (voice/guitar) leads a stellar band featuring bassist Lex Warshawsky, guitarist Mahmoud Chouki, drummer Jafet Diaz, pianist Victor Campbell, and Cuban singer Danae Blanco in a celebration of Formell’s groundbreaking music.
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Best known later in life as bassist for Los Van Van, Formell carved his own path as a singer, songwriter, and virtuoso guitarist, blending Cuban rhythms, filin, bossa nova, jazz, pop, and rock. His acclaimed career included a Grammy nomination for Songs from a Little Blue House and deep ties to New Orleans, where he recorded two albums and frequently performed at Snug Harbor. The CubaNOLA Arts Collective, longtime collaborators with Formell, honors his visionary spirit and lasting influence in a second tribute concert, following a February 2024 event at Joe’s Pub in New York. Organizers hope to inspire renewed appreciation for Formell’s music and advocate for its wider distribution, celebrating a legacy that continues to inspire across borders.