Anthony Appelhof
Singer/Songwriter/Rhythm Guitar
Anthony Appelhof loved to sing from the time he was a child, born on June 9, 1957, in east Los Angeles and raised in Alhambra, California. Music and poetry filled his life from a young age, despite never having taken a single formal lesson. After watching Elvis Presley in a movie, Anthony felt a deep connection, seeing himself in the legendary performer. At 18, he taught himself the harmonica, and by 20, he picked up the guitar, sparking a lifelong passion for songwriting and performance.
In his early twenties, Anthony started his first band, and he hasn't slowed down since. With more than sixty songs to his name, his sound fuses vintage rock ‘n’ roll with folk rock, drawing inspiration from his personal journey. His music reflects his exploration of mysticism, meditation, and self-realization, creating songs that resonate on a deep level. Listeners often compare his voice to Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens, describing it as soulful and evocative of the ‘60s and ’70s.
One of his biggest career highlights was the recording of his second album, Made in Cuba, in Santiago de Cuba. Collaborating with some of the finest musicians from the city, this album brought new energy and authenticity to his work. Today, Anthony continues to create and evolve as an artist, staying true to his roots while embracing new musical horizons.
Aquiles Jorge Rabaud
Lead Guitarist
Born in January 1966, Aquiles Jorge grew up surrounded by the rich sounds of classical music, vintage records, and a blend of nostalgic American artifacts in Santiago de Cuba. Amidst the old vinyl records, an Admiral record player, and the nightly broadcasts of forbidden stations like the BBC, one song etched itself into his memory: Bobbie Gentry's “Ode to Billie Joe.” Unaware of the blues or rock genres at the time, this song would shape his musical journey.
Unable to access electric guitars, Jorge initially pursued Spanish classical guitar at the Esteban Salas Conservatory and the National School of Arts in Havana. It wasn't until he was 20 that he acquired his first electric guitar--crafted from Soviet parts and an old wooden cabinet--that he began exploring rock and blues. His early performances included covers of Hendrix, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin, and he soon gained recognition for his collaborations with the Santiago de Cuba Symphony Orchestra, guitar legends like Paco de Lucia, and numerous North American and Canadian musicians.
Jorge has composed for documentaries, film, and dance, and was the first Cuban artist to stage an audio-visual concert. Recently, he teamed up with Arizona's Anthony Appelhof to form the band “69 Hippies”. This project blends classic rock with exotic sounds and a touch of Flamenco and Blues, creating a unique and universal musical language. Aquiles' guitar work and Anthony's vocals combine to produce moments of profound beauty in their music.
With Tony's songs, it was like I dreamed them. Every night I'd hear melodies in my head, and I'd send him my ideas over WhatsApp. We were always in sync. I loved his songs so much that after one listen, I knew what to play. That's the magic between us-it's like family. In the history of great rock bands, they always start with different musicians until they find the one. It is like chemistry --when everything finally clicks together .
Ruben Lester Gonzalez Valdes
Bass guitar, vocals
Born on February 10, 1977, in Havana, Ruben Lester is a multi-talented musician and composer, specializing in classical guitar and computer sciences. He has been recognized as a first-class artist and a member of the Catalogue of Excellence at the Miguel Matamoros Music Center since 2000.
Throughout his career, he has performed as a singer, guitarist, bassist, and composer with renowned bands like La Guerrilla, Alto Riesgo, and Muralla. His music has graced stages worldwide, from France to Italy and Argentina. He has also composed soundtracks for plays, short films, and documentaries, receiving awards for his original compositions.
As a key figure in Cuban music, Lester has played at national festivals such as Romerias de Mayo, Fiesta de la Cubania, and the Trova Festival. His albums “El Carrusel” and “Simple” earned Cubadisco nominations, while his work on the “X610Z” project gained international acclaim.
In addition to his performance work, Lester has produced music for several artists, including collaborations with Holly Holden and Italian musician Nico Beradi. His dedication to promoting Santiago's musical heritage has earned him numerous accolades, including the Cuerda Viva Award in 2015.
Currently, he is working on his upcoming album “Gallo Negro” and continues to shape Cuba's contemporary trova scene.
Victor Michaelis Cutino Leon
Keyboard/Percussion
Victor Cutino began his musical career in 1989, debuting as a pianist at the age of 18 with the popular Comparsa La Placita during Santiago de Cuba's famous carnival. In 1990, he joined the provincial music center Miguel Matamoros and became part of the Los Tainos orchestra, led by Daniel Guzman. As the group's pianist and assistant musical director, he accompanied renowned Cuban artists such as Omara Portuondo and Sara Gonzalez at Hotel Rancho Club.
In 1994, Cutino traveled to Mexico to perform at the Afro-Caribbean Festival in Veracruz as a pianist, arranger, and musical director. He went on to work as musical director at Teatro Cabildo Cultural in 1995 before joining the group Muralla in 1997, where he continued his role as pianist and musical director. His international career took off in 2002 when he toured Italy with the Orchestra Son de Buena Fe, a collaboration that lasted until 2010.
Cutino's career continued to flourish with his work in Italy from 2014-2015, performing in the show Sabor Caribeno. After returning to Havana, he founded the trio Cuba la Bella, blending traditional Cuban music with modern influences. His talent and leadership in these ensembles solidified his place in the Cuban music scene.
Today Victor Cutino is based in Santiago de Cuba, working as a session musician and assistant producer at Gallo Negro Studio. His experience and dedication to Cuban music continue to shine through in every project, keeping the spirit of the island's music alive.
Erick Jesus Perez Martin
Drummer
Born on March 28, 1996, in Santiago de Cuba, Erick was destined for music. Growing up in a musical family, he's the great-great-grandson of the legendary composer Don Miguel Matamoros, the mind behind classics like “Lagrimas Negras.” Erick began his musical journey at the age of four with singing and violin, but it wasn't until discovering percussion that he truly found his passion.
His talents extended beyond music. As a teen, he became a web and software developer, winning awards for multimedia projects celebrating Cuban culture. While excelling academically, Erick also formed D'NOVA, a pop-fusion band that brought him into the spotlight. The band's unique style earned them national attention, performing at major Cuban festivals and even taking their sound international with tours in France and Latin America.
A doctor by day and a musician by night, Erick blends his love for healing and rhythm, mastering instruments from the drums to the guitar. His band's debut album, “Reflejos,” was nominated for Cubadisco Awards and the Latin Grammys, showing his dual mastery of medicine and music.