Festival Cubano 2006

For the second successive year, the Trinidad Group has organized Festival Cubano in Malaysia. The Festival was officially launched by its Royal Patron, YAM Tunku Naquiyuddin ibni Tuanku Ja'afar on April 21 with a spectacular charity concert by the Afro Cuban All Stars. The concert was sponsored by Best Western International, the world’s largest hotel chain, in benefit for the Yayasan Tunku Nurul Hayati, a foundation for underprivileged and abuse children. This years event will feature a 7 piece Cuban band who will accompany a master chef and cigar roller who were all specially flown in for the event.

This superb 7 piece Cuban band has been the talk of the Cuban music scene over the past few years. Sazon has performed at the best clubs in Cuba as well as toured several countries in Latin America. Their vast repertoire ranges of high energy Salsa, Merengue, Latin pop to current popular English songs has made Sazon one of the most exciting bands from Cuba. Their band leader, Jesus Santiago Martinez plays the trombone and is accompanied by keyboards, drums, percussionist and bass with two female lead singers.

Chef Brito as he is fondly referred to has been in the Cuba's hospitality industry for over 30 years. He has held many high posts in the Cuban Hotel Association and the Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality in Cuban. For many years, Chef Brito was in charge of all the food and beverages served at all major international events in Cuba including Head of State and dignitary functions, conferences and festivals organized by the Government. He has represented Cuba in several international hotel and culinary conferences around the world. Apart from his culinary skills, Chef Brito is also a qualified-sommelier.

Master Roller Adonis started off his career as an apprentice at a tender age of 16 at the Partagas factory and in a short span of time rose to the rank of supervisor. His cigar rolling skills and ability was noticed and he was eventually transferred to Havana's best and most important factory, El Laguito, home to the world famous Cohiba cigars. He has so far demonstrated his cigar rolling talents at several events in Spain and London. Adoni's specialty is rolling Torpedo and Double Corona cigars.

Festival Cubano 2006 Schedule (or what's left of it)

Although the Festival Cubano 2006 started on the 1st May 2006 in Westin Hotel, Kuala Lumpur ... you can still catch them in their last leg of the tour. They are currently in Genting Highlands Resort until 16th September 2006.

1st Sept - 16th Sept 2006
Genting Highlands Resort, Pahang.

18th Sept - 20th Sept 2006
Puteri Pan Pacific Hotel, Johor Bahru.

22nd Sept - 30th Sept 2006
Le Meridien Hotel, Kota KInabalu.