Cuba latin jazz 1990s

Gonzalo Rubalcaba

Gonzalo Rubalcaba is a Cuban jazz pianist and composer from Havana, known for a virtuosic style that joins Cuban music and modern jazz.

Origins

Born Gonzalo Julio González Fonseca into a family of musicians, he took his great-grandmother's surname as his professional name, as his father and grandfather had. He toured with Orquesta Aragón in 1983 and formed his own Grupo Proyecto in 1985 before signing with Blue Note in the early 1990s.

The sound

His playing combines Afro-Cuban rhythm and Cuban song forms such as son and bolero with the harmonic language of modern jazz, in trio, solo and orchestral settings.

Legacy

He has won several Grammys, including Best Latin Jazz Album for Land of the Sun with Charlie Haden and Best Jazz Instrumental Album for Skyline with Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette. At the 2026 Latin Grammys he is nominated for Best Latin Jazz/Jazz Album (Gonzalo Plays Pino) and Best Instrumental Album (A Tribute to Benny Moré and Nat King Cole).