Cuba's Heartthrob:
Paulito FG y su Elite
by Robin Davies

After reading the headline you might be asking, "Who is Paulito FG? And what kind of last name is that?" His full name is Paulito Fernandez Gallo. He is one of the pioneers and creators of the hippest popular new musical genre in the world today, timba. A global phenomena where hundreds of websites, radio shows and nightclubs in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the United States are dedicated to tracking and promoting timba groups, one of the most popular being Paulito FG y su Elite.

With traditional music no longer expressing the voice of the young Cubanos, timba was created in the seventies by young Cuban musicians facing the harsh realities of global isolation and worldwide economic sanctions. Musicians like Juan Formell of Los Van Van and Chucho Valdez of Irakere brought home in their travels music played internationally, while other musicians listened on their transistor radios prior to their government's banning of international radio's free stations. They started experimenting and incorporating the newfound rhythms with traditional Cuban music---hence timba was born. It became a musical language that connected Cuba's youth with other young people of the world.

"Artists like Juan Formell and Chucho Valdez were the originators. They created the map and made an artistic reconnection for us with the world. The rest of us have been painting the landscapes and building the roads," comments the lanky, charismatic timbaro Paulito FG. "It is the music of the people in Cuba today, the contemporary music of Cuba. A rich, strong, dynamic fusion of different rhythms---rumba, rock, jazz, sones, salsa, hip-hop, soul, anything mixed together, and boom! That's timba!"

Paulito is a respected artist known for his keen, multi-rhythmic composing style that has further the complexity of timba with quality-filled lyrics and breathtaking musical virtuosity. "I have always enjoyed experimenting with different rhythms, looking for the general connection and a new way to convey a message," explains Paulito. "Since I was a kid I've always been into studying music--the different sounds, styles, origins and artists. I started experimenting with many musical genres blending and stringing them together, eventually developing my own style." A style that explicitly bridges black-American funk, soul and jazz with the spice and magnetism of urban Afro-Cuban music.

Born in Buena Vista, a district in Havana, Paulito's musical gift was discovered and nurtured by his mother, Caridad Gallo, a pianist and published poet, "she'd ask me to sing with her while playing the piano, teaching me the vocal lines, harmony, melody and bass," reflects Paulito. "When I was 18 I started to sing publicly. This is considered late. Most artists start out much earlier."

His sensuous, earthy dance ability coupled with his musical sense have attracted fans from all age ranges, in Cuba predominately teenagers and internationally adults. "Musicians don't choose who our fans are, it's really how each individual connects with the music," states Paulito. "When composing I think there is a spiritual energy that comes from within that can't be rationalized---an energy that emanates from the artist and connects with others. The themes in my music are from my life experiences. This is where materially I believe the fans and I connect. People connecting with similar life experiences is always a spiritual exchange. An exchanges that draws back the veils between us so we can see our true selves eye to eye," says Paulito.

Paulito's professional break came at an event in Havana when popular musician Alberto Alvarez heard him sing, then asked him to join his orquestra, "he recognized the passion I have for singing." But in 1990 when Paulito joined Opus-13, started composing and later assumed leadership, he became an international sensation. Paulito revamped their music and name, added vexing tropical dance moves, and booked them into select tourist nightclubs in Havana where "opportunities happened," recounts Paulito. They began touring internationally where their live performances set box office records, won the 1997 Egrem awards (Cuba's Grammy) for best group and singer, and released four CDs that soared up the charts in three continents.  

He has now set his sights on wooing and sharing his music with the U.S. "As a musician my greatest responsibility is to carry the message and culture in a non-political way of Cuba, our feelings, our dreams and beliefs. We have many disadvantages in Cuba with respect to the rest of the world. These disadvantages double our efforts in sharing our ever-changing creative voice," explains Paulito. "With each opportunity and challenge my desire to play my music in many countries grows. As an artist I am attempting to capture and present in music the essence of the real Cuba. I think that people everywhere sense and support this because music is our common language."      

View a video clip of Paulito in concert.

Robin Davies is a free-lance writer based in the Bay Area.

©2001 by Robin Davies
Photos and video ©2001 by salsasf.com
All rights reserved. No reproduction without written permission.

Cuba's Heartthrob:
Paulito FG y su Elite
by Robin Davies

After reading the headline you might be asking, "Who is Paulito FG? And what kind of last name is that?" His full name is Paulito Fernandez Gallo. He is one of the pioneers and creators of the hippest popular new musical genre in the world today, timba. A global phenomena where hundreds of websites, radio shows and nightclubs in Europe, Asia, Latin America and the United States are dedicated to tracking and promoting timba groups, one of the most popular being Paulito FG y su Elite.

With traditional music no longer expressing the voice of the young Cubanos, timba was created in the seventies by young Cuban musicians facing the harsh realities of global isolation and worldwide economic sanctions. Musicians like Juan Formell of Los Van Van and Chucho Valdez of Irakere brought home in their travels music played internationally, while other musicians listened on their transistor radios prior to their government's banning of international radio's free stations. They started experimenting and incorporating the newfound rhythms with traditional Cuban music---hence timba was born. It became a musical language that connected Cuba's youth with other young people of the world.

"Artists like Juan Formell and Chucho Valdez were the originators. They created the map and made an artistic reconnection for us with the world. The rest of us have been painting the landscapes and building the roads," comments the lanky, charismatic timbaro Paulito FG. "It is the music of the people in Cuba today, the contemporary music of Cuba. A rich, strong, dynamic fusion of different rhythms---rumba, rock, jazz, sones, salsa, hip-hop, soul, anything mixed together, and boom! That's timba!"

Paulito is a respected artist known for his keen, multi-rhythmic composing style that has further the complexity of timba with quality-filled lyrics and breathtaking musical virtuosity. "I have always enjoyed experimenting with different rhythms, looking for the general connection and a new way to convey a message," explains Paulito. "Since I was a kid I've always been into studying music--the different sounds, styles, origins and artists. I started experimenting with many musical genres blending and stringing them together, eventually developing my own style." A style that explicitly bridges black-American funk, soul and jazz with the spice and magnetism of urban Afro-Cuban music.

Born in Buena Vista, a district in Havana, Paulito's musical gift was discovered and nurtured by his mother, Caridad Gallo, a pianist and published poet, "she'd ask me to sing with her while playing the piano, teaching me the vocal lines, harmony, melody and bass," reflects Paulito. "When I was 18 I started to sing publicly. This is considered late. Most artists start out much earlier."

His sensuous, earthy dance ability coupled with his musical sense have attracted fans from all age ranges, in Cuba predominately teenagers and internationally adults. "Musicians don't choose who our fans are, it's really how each individual connects with the music," states Paulito. "When composing I think there is a spiritual energy that comes from within that can't be rationalized---an energy that emanates from the artist and connects with others. The themes in my music are from my life experiences. This is where materially I believe the fans and I connect. People connecting with similar life experiences is always a spiritual exchange. An exchanges that draws back the veils between us so we can see our true selves eye to eye," says Paulito.

Paulito's professional break came at an event in Havana when popular musician Alberto Alvarez heard him sing, then asked him to join his orquestra, "he recognized the passion I have for singing." But in 1990 when Paulito joined Opus-13, started composing and later assumed leadership, he became an international sensation. Paulito revamped their music and name, added vexing tropical dance moves, and booked them into select tourist nightclubs in Havana where "opportunities happened," recounts Paulito. They began touring internationally where their live performances set box office records, won the 1997 Egrem awards (Cuba's Grammy) for best group and singer, and released four CDs that soared up the charts in three continents.  

He has now set his sights on wooing and sharing his music with the U.S. "As a musician my greatest responsibility is to carry the message and culture in a non-political way of Cuba, our feelings, our dreams and beliefs. We have many disadvantages in Cuba with respect to the rest of the world. These disadvantages double our efforts in sharing our ever-changing creative voice," explains Paulito. "With each opportunity and challenge my desire to play my music in many countries grows. As an artist I am attempting to capture and present in music the essence of the real Cuba. I think that people everywhere sense and support this because music is our common language."      

View a video clip of Paulito in concert.

Robin Davies is a free-lance writer based in the Bay Area.

©2001 by Robin Davies
Photos and video ©2001 by salsasf.com
All rights reserved. No reproduction without written permission.