Canela

Canela musical group was created in Havana in 1989, conducted by the great oboist and percussonist Zoe Fuentes, and entirely composed by young musicians graduated from the most important Cuban higher level musical schools. 
With a wide repertoire, they are able to perform the most different genres such as son, reggae, chachachá, mozambique, bossa nova, bolero, suk, rumba and guaguancó; that is, salsa music deeply influenced by the harmonies of  Jazz. 
The orchestra's international presence, mostly integrated by women, and musically conducted by the saxophonist Jesús Fuentes, has been warmly welcomed in important festivals such as Pori and Imatra in Finland; Leece, in Italy; North Sea of Amsterdam, in Holland; Montreux, in Switzerland;  Spice Jazz, in Granada, and the Jazz Plaza International Festival in Havana.  
Another important moment in the history of Canela is the Great Award to the best Song in the Festival of Bridgetown, Barbados, awarde d to Jesús Fuentes with Alé alé, sung by Ade Millys, one of the grouping main singers.
Due to the fact that  Fuentes´work has been the main source of Canela´s repertoire since its foundation, 15 years ago, he deserves a special chapter in its history.  At the same time, he has participated in recordings and tours together with important musical groups and artists such as NG La Banda, the guitarist Uli Kratz, the German Basement quintet, the Ozone Group of Jerry Spartakus in the French-speaking Caribbean, the trova singer Vicente Feliú, the drum player Oscar Valdés, and the Canadian saxophonist Jane Bunnett. 
In 2003, Canela succeeded in Denmark performing for a month, in a crowded hall, as part of the play Who ever let them in, written by Nikolakj Cederholm for the Doctor Dante company and presented at the Tivoli Gardens scenarios in Copenhagen. 
Canela has the honor of having performed at the most different international stages, together with renowned artists like Steve Turre, Vince Mai, Phil Collins, John Patitucci, The Commodores, Danilo Pérez, The Temptations, David Sánchez, John Benítez, Vic Vogel, Herbie Hancock and "Chucho" Valdés.This musical band has also participated in the film industry, playing Latin Woman in the documentary film "Jazz de Cuba."