Primo Cubano, which translates into Cuban Cousins, has been practicing and performing traditional Cuban music for the past 16 years in Maine. In June of 2023, they were invited to perform at the 2024 Havana Jazz Festival. A friend of the band, Greg Martens, a local producer and promotor, extended the invitation and was a prime component for bringing Primo Cubano to Cuba for the first time.
Trumpet player Marc Chillemi, quickly began organizing the trip with Greg, to bring 7 musicians from the group. In addition, Greg invited another local artist, Darby Sabin from Farmington. An all-star band was put together for Darby by Greg, which included such artists as George Porter Jr, one of the founders of the New Orleans funk band The Meters, and drummer and percussionist Wally Ingram, from Sheryl Crow's band of the 90s.
By October of 2023, Primo Cubano singer Eric Winter joined Marc to help organize the trip. Eric has been to Cuba several times to study with some of Havana's greatest musicians. Eric scheduled a week of lessons and rehearsal sessions with percussionist Rolando Salgado Palacio, from the Afro-Cuban Allstars. Primo Cubano rented a rehearsal studio in the artist district called, Verdado.
The band was scheduled at two venues, and by the third day Primo Cubano was asked to perform at some of the local restaurants and bars throughout the city. The most memorable experience was when many of the local musicians and festival organizers commented; "Primo Cubano is the first group from the United States to perform their music" - Son Cubano, the national music of Cuba. Not only was this an unimaginable experience, it was the long-life dream of conga player, Lenny Hatch.
Primo Cubano was invited to return to Cuba to perform at the 40th Annual Havana Jazz Festival in January of 2025. This experience has inspired the group to keep learning and practicing this music they love and have shared with salsa dancers and music lovers throughout New England for over a decade.
