J. BETANCOURT & CAFe cubANO

Led by piano player Jorge Betancourt and featuring some of the city's top players, Cafe Cubano was one of the first all-Cuban, full salsa bands formed in Canada. The group has spawned numerous other projects and continues to be a trailblazer in Toronto’s timba scene.

Born in Camangüey, Cuba, the son of a famous symphonic orchestra conductor, Jorge Betancourt began his career with Charanga 86 before going on to work with Orquesta Trinima, Salsometro and the influential Valentine y los del Caribe. In Canada, he has earned a reputation for his animated stage presence and an inventive fusion of salsa, RnB, funk and timba with traditional son and guaracha forms.