Piano Cubano Series Comes to an End – Rafael Zaldivar Revisits Buena Vista Social Club

Rafael Zaldivar – piano

Lázara Martínez – violin

Hector Diaz – bass

Tali Rondón – congas / bongoes

Cuatro/Guitar – Adrián Guadalupe

Cuban pianist and JUNO Award nominee Rafael Zaldivar pays a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Buena Vista Social Club, reimagining some of its most beloved songs with rhythmic vitality and elegance. Inspired by Rubén González, Zaldivar transforms the singer’s expressive style into lush piano harmonies. Featured at Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music in 2021 and 2022, Zaldivar revisits classics such as Bésame Mucho, Quizás, Quizás, Quizás, and Chan Chan. His performance is a joyful celebration that honors the timeless soul of traditional Cuban music.

Cuban-born violinist and PAUSA Art House owner Lázara Martínez brings the soul of Havana to Buffalo. A graduate of Havana’s prestigious Amadeo Roldán Conservatory, she performed with the National Symphonic Orchestra of Cuba and as soloist and principal violinist with the celebrated Camerata Romeu, touring internationally across Europe and the Americas. Since moving to the U.S., Lázara has performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, co-founded the String Quartet Boléo, and recorded with the Afro-Cuban jazz group El Coco. Her latest project, Havana Loops, explores the timeless pulse of Cuban rhythms, an inspiration that will shine brightly in this Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club.

Bassist Héctor Díaz has been a driving force in Western New York’s Latin and jazz scenes since the age of thirteen, when he learned a full set overnight to fill in for his father’s band. Since then, he’s become one of the region’s most sought-after bassists, performing across genres from Salsa and Merengue to R&B and Latin Jazz with top artists from Puerto Rico and beyond. A longtime member of Orchestra Antonetti (25 years) and The Mambo Kings (9 years), Héctor continues to expand his reach across Pennsylvania and Ohio. During the pandemic, he founded his own recording studio, producing and collaborating with artists worldwide, including rising Ecuadorian singer Pablo EEE. A U.S. Army veteran, Héctor’s musical journey reflects discipline, versatility, and an enduring passion for the groove.

Born and raised on Buffalo’s Lower West Side to Puerto Rican parents, Geraldo “Tali” Rondon grew up surrounded by a rich mix of musical influences from Afro-Caribbean and Jíbaro traditions to Jazz, R&B, Classic Rock, and Hip Hop. That vibrant blend shaped the rhythmic versatility that defines his sound today. Inspired by master percussionists such as Eddie Montalvo, Giovanni Hidalgo, Sheila E, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaría, and many of Western New York’s own greats, Tali developed a deep respect for the craft and culture of rhythm. His dynamic playing style reflects both his heritage and his city’s musical diversity fusing precision, passion, and soul every time he takes the stage.

Manny Perez , guitar – the founder and director of Buffalo’s acclaimed Afro-Cuban and Puerto Rican Latin band Son BoriKua, is a celebrated Puerto Rican (Boricua) musician. For over a decade, his group has brought traditional “Tropical Salsa” and son montuno rhythms to the Buffalo community.  Son BoriKua has earned multiple nominations for Latin Jazz Group of the Year by JazzBuffalo and regularly performs at local cultural events, museums, and festivals across Western New York.