Yumuri y sus hermanos

Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos emerged in the early 90s as one of Cuba’s standout acts of the mid-90s, founded by Yumuri after he had spent years directing Orquesta Reve. Although that ensemble enjoyed both domestic acclaim and global recognition, Yumuri had long desired to helm an outfit of his own, so he assembled the new project alongside siblings Pedro on alto saxophone, Osvaldo on tenor saxophone and flute, and Luis Alberto on trumpet. The ensemble’s name, which means Yumuri And His Brothers, soon translated into steady popularity on Havana’s club scene, where their sets fused traditional Cuban forms including son, cha-cha and salsa with external influences such as jazz funk. Numerous overseas touring proposals followed, yet Yumuri ultimately chose a residency offer extended by a group of Japanese investors at the Cuban restaurant Muchaka, located in Tokyo’s upscale Shibuya district. Cuban-music enthusiasts began converging on the venue, which simultaneously drew local salsa players such as Orquesta Del Sol and Orquesta De La Luz. The residency’s momentum secured a recording deal, yielding the band’s first album, Provocación.