Alex Cuba , born Alexis Puentes, thrives on a free-flowing creative process. The Cuban-Canadian singer-songwriter “receives” his inspiration in moments when music is the last thing on his mind. If he’s on a plane and an idea strikes, he’ll retreat to the bathroom and record the melody. “Way up in the sky, you know,” he laughed. “Close to God, I guess.”
Cuba’s commitment to artistic freedom has fueled a remarkable career with nearly 100 million streams and a shelf overflowing with accolades — a Grammy, four Latin Grammys, and two JUNO Awards. A talented songwriter, he is also the creative force behind half of Canadian icon Nelly Furtado’s acclaimed Spanish album, Mi Plan . Currently on his national 17-date Paralelo Tour, the singer will perform at SOhO Restaurant & Music Club on Wednesday, May 8. He hopes to share new music while on tour and is excited about his stop in Santa Barbara — a place he’s never been.
The 50-year-old is calling in from Canada, where he’s lived since 1999. Originally from Artemisa, Cuba, he shared that music comes from his father’s side. His father, Valentin Puentes, was a music educator in Cuba and taught him how to play guitar when he was 6. He locked himself in his room practicing for so long that his parents sometimes had to remind him to eat. Cuba shared that by the time he was 16, he was the best bass player in his town.