As University of Wisconsin’s School of Music celebrated the 20th anniversary of their residency program, they said goodbye to their latest fall interdisciplinary artist in residence — legendary Afro-Cuban musician Juan de Marcos González.
González is a central figure in bringing light to the Cuban music scene. From his work with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and the Buena Vista Social Club, his contributions paved the way for Cuban music to gain notoriety in the U.S.
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During his fall residency, the Grammy award-winning artist taught two courses: Afro-Cuban Music: Roots, Jazz, Hip Hop and Afro-Cuban & Hip Hop Music.
In addition to his lectures, González also conducted weekly classes with UW School of Music’s various ensembles and participated in community outreach ventures in both Madison and Milwaukee.
At his theater-packed final performance in the Fredric March Play Circle Dec. 8, the musician invited both his students and members of the Madison community to assist him in creating an evening of music, dancing and unity. Also present at the event was legendary hip-hop artist, Kurtis Blow.
The evening opened with the World Percussion Ensemble performing pieces written and directed by González. Clad in all black, the performers brought color and vibrancy to the evening as the music filled the room. It was nearly impossible to stay in one’s seat, as the music emitted a feeling of traveling through the streets of Havana and the African jungle at the same time.
A large portion of the evening was devoted to one of González’s community service outreach involvements, the Madison’s Schools Got Talent competition. The top three finalists ranged in their talents, from dancing like Michael Jackson to singing like Beyoncé, the competition highlighted the talents of the urban youth in the Madison community.
The winner was Destiny Johnson, whose performance of “Ave Maria” sent chills down everyone’s spines.
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As one of the main contributors to the competition, Blow also gave a live performance at the event. He invited the crowd to stand up and travel with him through the history of hip-hop, rapping through hits like The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” to Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode.”
During the finale performance, another rapper, Christian Robinson, fluidly merged his hip-hop lyrics onto a Afro-Latin beat — a technique he learned during the production course with González.
“[González] is also a sound engineer, so he is meticulous with the details,” Robinson said. “It is amazing how he can bring separate genres together, and make them sound as if they were one to begin with.”
Salsa dancing across the stage, González’s face was filled with joy as he witnessed the culmination of his students’ work. Insisting everyone stand up and danced, theater patrons were still moving to the beat of the bongos as the players made their way backstage.
“We bring warmth from our country,” González said. “That is why your winter has been so good.”
