Irakere reborn in show by Cuban children´s group La Colmenita

The spirit of Irakere was reborn today amid applause and songs by the legendary Cuban band, sung by those attending the Karl Marx Theater in the capital to enjoy the new show by the children's group La Colmenita.

“Ricitos Valdés and the Three Bears in the forest of Iraqere” is the daring title of the work that will be revived tomorrow on the occasion of the International Jazz Festival Plaza 2025, which will open this Sunday in Havana.

In this version of “Ricitos de oro y los tres oso,” the members of La Colmenita performed the classic children’s story accompanied by songs from the repertoire of the iconic Cuban group that made history such as Los caramelos, Rucu Rucu a Santa Clara, Bacalao con pan, Aguanile bongo, A rompe el coco, Catalina, among others.

In a packed Karl Marx, children and adults shared the stage and music in this tribute to Iraqere: Germán Velasco, Enrique Plá, César López, Orlando Valle “Maraca” and Jorge Reyes.

Also taking part in the extraordinary performance were the outstanding Cuban artists Bobby Carcassés, National Music Award winner; Mayito Rivera, Alain Pérez and the Argentinean cheno player Rodrigo Sosa.

Tonight, Carcassés, honorary president of the International Jazz Plaza Festival, won the applause of those present with the premiere of “El Blue Son de La Colmenita”, a gift for the children’s group and a tribute to Cuba, he said; at which time the showman played six instruments.

For Carlos Alberto Cremata, director of La Colmenita, it is very nice that the children try to revive the successes of Iraqere in this show that has the musical direction of René Baños, leader of Vocal Sampling.

Regarding his preparation, Cremata commented in statements to Prensa Latina that “the first thing is to relive the successes of Iraqere in this show that has the musical direction of René Baños, leader of Vocal Sampling.

Regarding his preparation, Cremata commented in statements to Prensa Latina that “the first thing is to relive the successes of Iraqere in this show that has the musical direction of René Baños, leader of Vocal Sampling. was for them to enjoy. We played them songs from the medley, Dile a Catalina, Aguanile and A rompe el coco.”

We divided the children into two teams to improvise, dance and invent a choreography. We were able to realize that this music is still in the veins of Cubans, what is needed is to revive it, he said. In his opinion, with this show they will reach the soul of children and the Cuban family. Regarding the success of uniting La Colmenita on stage with the imprint and vitality of Irakere, he stressed the importance of children growing up with high musical values. He pointed out that with their distinctive seal in their way of doing theater, on previous occasions they have paid tribute to the singer-songwriter Silvio Rodríguez, the musician and composer Adalberto Álvarez and the popular orchestra Los Van Van.

Founded in 1973, Irakere is recognized as one of the most important Cuban groups in the history of Latin jazz, with numerous international awards and more than 30 recorded albums.

The band managed to gather a solid A group of virtuoso instrumentalists who revolutionized the Latin American sound scene with their innovations, mixing elements of jazz, rock, and classical music based on a base of Afro-Cuban rhythms and sounds.