Biography

Cuba’s N° 1 Salsa Pianist! Sixteen-member Manolito Simonert y su Trabuco is one of Cuba's greatest and best loved timba bands. Salsa lovers highly estimate this innovative group with a unique sound. Based on the traditional line-up of charanga orchestras, visionary band leader Manolito Simonet added keyboards, drums and three singers, who all take solos. Result is a powerfull and highly dynamic act! Manolito y su Trabuco has salseros the world over dancing to mega hits like Marcando la Distancia, El Águila, Locos por mi Habana and many others. Manuel Simonet learnt piano and tres with the Amateur Artists Movement. In 1986 he became musical director, composer and arranger for Maravillas de Florida orchestra taking them to great popularity in Cuba. Finally in 1993, he created his own powerful, explosive group: Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco. Already in 1994, Mi Salsa, Cuba's most popular TV music programme, hailed the group as the discovery of the year. Their first of many salsa records, Directo al Corazon (1995 / Egrem) was an instant price awarded success. Last release is La Vida Cambio (2018 Bis Music / Endirecto). Beside dance albums the band released in 2010 Beat Cubano – a Latin Jazz Album. In 2015 the CD Hecho in Cuba was recorded with famous guitarist Dominic Miller, Sting’s sidekick since more than 25 years. The great variety the band can perform was also proofed by the recordings of Two Beats One Soul in 2017, joining US R&B artist like Ray Chew, Eric Benet.