In a message dated 6/21/98 11:47:24 AM Central Daylight Time, ted@palmnet.net writes: << All who participated in the "Piana To Havana" operation might be interested in the June 22, 1998 edition of TIME magazine. On page 67 is an article about Cuban musicians. Featured are pianists Jesus (Chucho) Valdes and Ruben Gonzales. Valdes is described as the greatest jazz pianist in Cuba, and perhaps in the world! What I'd like to know is how anyone could reach such heights on the low-quality Cuban pianos that were described to us by the Piana To Havana team? Would like to hear about this. Ted Simmons >> Recently, a customer offered to play a CD of Ruben Gonzales for me. I was interested to hear how a piano recorded in Havana might sound. I really expected something quite substandard. I have some Jazz recordings made in the 60's that I can't stand to listen to because of the out-of-tune piano. I expected this to be like those, if not worse. To my surprise, the piano sounded quite good, well-tuned with clear, bright but even voicing. I figured that even in a troubled country like Cuba, there must be in it's capital city at least a few good pianos as well as technicians. They might have also received some help from countries more friendly to it such as Canada or Germany to pull off a first-class recording. I would like to know more about it too. My city, Madison, is actually a "Sister City" to Camaguey, Cuba. One of our city Aldermen and businessmen was born there. There are frequent visits to Cuba by the group. I would really like to go and help out myself but my work and travel schedule is already so busy that I just cannot manage it. I sure would like to set up a new Walter grand in the Madison House that is being restored in Camaguey. Just a dream, though. Bil Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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