La Familia Valera Miranda

Born on 26 February 1939 in Las Tunas, Cuba, Félix Valera Miranda handles lead vocals and guitar for the group. Carmen Rosa Alarcón Ganboa, born 30 August 1944 in the same town, contributes maracas and backing vocals. Rádames González Brugal, born 14 October 1942 in El Caney, Cuba, supplies vocals, cuatro, tres, and clave. The next generation includes Enrique Valera Alarcón, born 2 January 1966 in Santiago, Cuba, on cuatro, clave, and backing vocals; Raúl Félix Valera Alarcón, born 31 December 1968 in Santiago, on double bass and backing vocals; and Ernesto Valera Alarcón, born 20 July 1970 in Santiago, on bongos, sencerro, and backing vocals. Hailing from Cuba’s Oriente region, the Familia Valera Miranda unites father Félix as its leader, his wife, their sons, and brother Rádames. They specialize in the mid-tempo “Cauto son,” a regional variant of Cuba’s classic son. Though strictly non-professional and limited to private gatherings of relatives and close acquaintances, the ensemble captured its first international release, Music From Oriente De Cuba: The Son, at Salo Dolores in Santiago de Cuba during April 1994. The album presented traditional son standards, some written by Valera Miranda family members and others by established composers such as Compay Segundo, appearing three years before the Buena Vista Social Club sparked renewed global interest. Cana Quema and Cuba: La Familia Valera Miranda each presented further pieces in the same Cuban idiom, delivered with the group’s characteristic relaxed swing. Cuba: The Trova placed Félix Valera Miranda with vocalist Joel Diez and Francisco Sablon on the laud, Cuba’s 12-string guitar, interpreting additional classics in the unaccompanied trovador manner.