Cultural Shades from Panama to Havana

In October 1990, Professor Adalberto Bazán became the founder and director of the group Matices. A musician proud of his roots, he aimed to "project the results of the guitar courses taught at the Directorate of Culture to offer the community at large the opportunity to enjoy a different musical alternative, as it has a repertoire rich in rhythms and melodies that harmonize perfectly with the tastes of those who, on every occasion, enjoy contemporary popular music, which they masterfully performed from the beginning," Biby Halzen, current member of Matices, told CubaSí.

Over the years, this group has transformed to improve the quality and diversify its work. Its director explained: "Today, Matices is a group composed of professional musicians, with whom we accompany each other without losing the essential foundation of the original idea behind it. We have taken it to different areas of the country and internationally, thus fulfilling the commitment made to the University of Panama, which is to collaborate with community service and the development of outreach activities for this institution.

"With the support of the University, there are greater possibilities for artistic impact in communities through local governments, and thus be able to disseminate art and culture to a large part of society," added Biby.

From Panama to Havana

"Our connection with Cuba and its culture began 12 years ago when, for the first time in 2013, we attended the Piña Colada Festival as guest observers. After having exchanged some ideas about Cuban and Panamanian culture with the event's president, Arnaldo Rodríguez, with the aim of establishing artistic and cultural exchanges between the two countries," explained Adalberto, a Panamanian with a strong Cuban soul.

His colleague and friend, the prominent Cuban bassist, composer, director, music producer, and cultural promoter Arnaldo Rodríguez, recalls: "We met because Adalberto was a union leader and came to Cuba for some courses. I was introduced to him because at the time I was the secretary of the Havana Music and Entertainment Bureau. Thus began a friendship that later led us to record together more than once at EGREM studios." They became special guests at every edition of the Piña Colada Festival, and we have also shared experiences there at the University of Panama."

According to Biby, it’s not difficult to establish ties between Panama and Cuba: "There are many points of contact, both cultural and artistic, due to the Afro-Hispanic character, where our Caribbean culture converges."

"On the other hand, musically speaking, Cuba has been the benchmark for Panamanian popular music, as the relationship and exchange of both Cuban musicians and singers has influenced the development of this activity in our country. In other words, Cuba has been, for more than half a century, the school we have relied on for our development in popular art," Adalberto added.

From Panama to Havana, art has been a bridge and a shelter to create friends and strengthen that common root, that Martí notion that sees us as one people.

Translated by Amilkal Labañino / CubaSí Translation Staff