Kai Lyons of San Francisco, versatile guitarist and devoted musicologist, travels extensively to learn from the musical traditions of cultures beyond the borders of the U.S., particularly to various African countries as well as Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Over the years, he has often visited Cuba, and most often recently the city of Guantánamo, capital of the southeastern province of Guantánamo, from whence hails the gran maestro reginero, freestyle poet/lyricist José Andrés Rodríguez Ramírez of the Latin Grammy nominated Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo. In 2023, at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Kai encountered José Andrés, recently retired from Changüí de Guantánamo and living in Tampa, Florida. This is the third visit to San Francisco of José Andrés that Kai has facilitated.

Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo, historically the foremost proponent of its genre, was formed in 1945 by the Veranes brothers, “Chito” Latamblé Veranes, renowned player of the small Cuban guitar called the tres, and bonguero Arturo Veranes. Born in 1916 in Guantánamo’s Loma del Chivo neighborhood, Latamblé rose to prominence as a musician through a succession of groups beginning in 1934 with a combo he and Arturo formed Los Jóvenes del Guaso. From there, Latamblé moved through Rafael Inciarte Brioso’s Orquesta Cristal, an ensemble led by Conchita Bravo and Los Champions de Lilí Martínez, which became Los Siete Amigos after leader Martínez moved on. He then joined La Trova Tradicional de Guantánamo, and subsequently Orquesta Siboney, before Martínez recruited him for La Rareza del 43. Latamblé was influential in pianist Martínez’s incorporation of the nengón and changüí into contemporary son piano playing, and in 1945, Rafael Inciarte requested that Latamblé and his brother form an ensemble devoted entirely to the changüí. The resulting band was Grupo Changüí de Guantánamo, which in recent decades was led by José Andrés, El Sinsonte, until his retirement a few years ago. The ensemble continues as the most widely traveled and successful changüí group today.

Here’s video of today’s performance, with an insightful introduction and comments along the way by José Andrés and Kai which will give you far more insight into the artistry of José Andrés and the music that is changüí.