Community Arts and Culture (CAC) presents Cortadito, and special guest Aymeé Nuviola, Ronkalunga, and more at the Miami Beach Bandshell beginning at 7 p.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Miami Beach, FL – April 8, 2026 – The Miami Beach Bandshell will come alive on Friday, May 8, with Son Del Mundo, an international musical celebration hosted by Cuban folk ensemble Cortadito. The evening features special guest appearances by Cuban singer and actress Aymeé Nuviola, living Cuban legend Roberto Torres, rising sonero Ronkalunga, Toto Omana, and Sanba Zao.
Additional performances include Morikeba Kouyate and Michelle Fragoso, plus a pre-show Cuban son dance lesson led by Barbaro Ramos of Los Muñequitos de Matanzas and a special set of Cuban son classics from around the globe by DJ Le Spam. Tickets are on sale now at bit.ly/CACSDM2026; all ages are welcome.
In 2025, the son Cubano was officially inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Celebrated for its vitality and global influence, the genre is recognized as an integral part of Cuban national identity.
“I’m thrilled to be producing this concert celebrating Cuban Son Day. We are teaming up with an exceptional group of musicians and collaborators to perform this music that we love so dearly,” says Jose Elias, Cortadito’s co-founder and the show’s curator. “The global impact that son has made throughout the world is very significant, and I took that into account in my curatorial process for this show.”
Cortadito, a traditional Cuban folk band, is a torchbearer for one of the earliest styles of Caribbean dance music known as Son Cubano. A pop culture phenomenon that’s been instrumental in shaping new genres for more than a century. The group’s sound and style of performance is reminiscent of the famed Buena Vista Social Club. Last year, Cortadito released a full-length album titled The Guajiro Triangle, featuring guest performances by Nestor Torres and Nuviola, and includes nine original compositions that showcase three different songwriters who represent the past, present, and future of this iconic style.
Known as “La Sonera del Mundo,” Aymée Nuviola is a Latin GRAMMY and GRAMMY winner for her work with Gonzalo Rubalcaba. She began her musical journey early, playing piano at age three and later trained at Havana’s Manuel Saumell Conservatory. Born into a musical family in Cuba’s capital, Nuviola is celebrated for her work in Cuban contemporary jazz and timba, a dance-inspired fusion genre she helped pioneer. She has also recorded with Cuban icons like NG La Banda, Irakere, and, and has released five albums, including her latest, Bonche.
Torres, a Cuban singer, percussionist, bandleader, and producer, is best known for the classic song “Caballo Viejo”. Recognized for his contributions to the Cuban son, he’s also credited with creating charanga vallenata, a blend of Cuban and Colombian styles. Active since the 1960s and based in Miami, Roberto continues to perform well into his 80s. He will join Cortadito to perform his signature hit.
Ronkalunga blends traditional Cuban music (changüí, bolero, and trova) fused with pop, alternative rock, and funk. He will be joining Cortadito to perform his latest hit song, “El Carnicero” and his Nengon “Colorao”, which echoes one of the earliest roots of Cuban son.
Hailing from Kinshasa, Republic of Congo, Toto Omana is a singer, composer, and lead guitarist whose music combines African Soukous with American R&B, funk, and soul. He speaks over 12 languages, but will be singing in his native Lingala to interpret the music of Le Grande Kalle and Franco Luambo, who were key figures in the son-inspired Congolese Rhumba.
Lead singer for Lakou Mizik and Haitian roots pioneer Sanba Zao has devoted his life to teaching and preserving his traditions. For this show, he will join Cortadito for a tribute to Trio Selecte and their lead singer, Coupé Cloué, whose music embodied classic melodies of Trio Matamoros and Los Guaracheros de Oriente
Kouyate is a seventh-generation Jali (Griot) from Senegal and a kora master. He will join Cortadito on various songs, including the classic “El Manisero“.
Michelle Fragoso is a celebrated Cuban pianist and composer, and has performed and recorded with Elias in his previous group, Conjunto Progreso, which was nominated for a Grammy award. He has recently been added to the expanded lineup of Cortadito’s big band and will be performing with the group on all of their originals for the event.
Barbaro Ramos is a member of the renowned Afro-Cuban ensemble Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, founded in Cuba in the 1950s. He’s a world-renowned dancer who is a new addition to Cortadito’s show and will demonstrate how to dance to Cuban son before the concert.
The Bandshell, located at 7275 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139, is an open-air covered venue; all programs are rain or shine. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the show.
For more information, visit cacmiami.org.
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