The Cuban Experience

Biography

Keko founded The Cuban Experience after his return from a life-changing trip to Cuba where he met Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Cachaíto López, all idols from the Buena Vista Social Club Band. This experience inspired the idea to create a small musical group with the intention to research and promote Rhythmic Afro Indo Latin influences predominantly the Cuban Son (the roots of modern salsa) without losing its traditional earthy sound and raw folk likeness, and so began The Cuban Experience.

As if channeling the very essence of Buena Vista Social Club, Keko fronts this energetic and talented group of musicians
including conga player and percussionist Guillermo “Willy”Virán and Tiple instrumentalist and arranger Oscar Poncell.
The Cuban Experience’s musicians have participated in various festivals: Bluesfest, Womad, Sydney Festival, Moomba, as well as
toured Australia, Canada and Europe. They have also performed with some of Latin’s best including Ricky Martin.

Willy and Oscar won Best Australian Latin Artist Award with highly acclaimed band San Lazaro, playing
new original Latin compositions. The Cuban Experience is the only traditional Cuban band in Australia ever to be recognized by the Cuban Ambassador in Canberra with whom they hold cultural ties.
“I like how playing this music makes me feel, to see everyone dancing and enjoying themselves just as people used to a century ago in Cuba.”
The Cuban Experience is played regularly on radio programs such as Mick Williams’ Latin Connection and Latin Flava on 106,7 fm.

Trío: • Vocals and Guitar: Franshesco ‘Keko’ Virán •
Tiple Guitar and vocals: Oscar Poncell • Bongoes, congas and vocals: ‘Willy’ Virán