Chino Pons

Singer, bandleader, composer, dancer and record producer Chino Pons is considered one of the leading New York City-based Cuban musicians.
 
Early Life
The son of an industrial machinery mechanic and a Geography teacher, Chino Pons was born in 1971 in San Miguel del Padron, Havana, Cuba ,one of the poorest neighborhoods in Havana; surrounded by the Abakua Plantes, Bembe and Rumba cultures.  Growing up in an environment of traditional and Afro-Cuban music, among musicians and legendary dancers from 1940's and 1950's, had a great influence on him and inspired him to create music. Chino's relatives gave him a solid foundation in Son Cubano music, and absorbing their knowledge of Rumba Guaguanco, Yambu, Columbia, Cha Cha Cha, Danzon, and Bolero gave him the desire to create a new, more modern, sound while still maintaining many elements of traditional Cuban music.

Musical Beginnings
In 1997, Chino Pons began working as a band boy with the band Tropical Sound in Miami. In 1998, he moved to New York City to pursue music, performing in the subway and on the streets, then enrolling in Ramon Rodriguez's workshop at the Boys Harbor (El Museo del Barrio). Chino worked with different groups, including Cafe con Crema, Many Puventud and Conjunto Classico (as a band boy). In 2007, he formed Grupo Irek with Hensy Perez, Tosso Hettinger and Heriberto Valentin, and made his first recording as a bandleader with them in 2008.  It was during this period that Grupo Irek became one of the best-known and most respected Salsa acts on the New York City circuit, performing alongside the runway at fashion shows, playing regularly at The Socialista Club while it was open; and at Gala events for Sting's Rainforest foundation. Chino also began playing every year at the Vanidades Magazine anniversary party- previously honoring such classic entertainers as Gloria Estefan, Paquito de Rivera, Ruben Blades and Juan Luis Guerra. In 2013, Chino toured in Japan, playing at the Cuban Japan festival. Since then, he has built up quite a following among Japanese fans of Salsa music.

Chino Pons recorded his first album " Mueve Despacito" in 2014.  " Mueve Despacito" is a highly danceable album consisting of mostly original material written by Chino, his uncle, the famed guitarist Reynaldo Sotomayor "Chiquitiko", and several other  notable Cuban composers. The album is selling briskly on CD Baby, Amazon, and iTunes, and has also has been featured on NY1 channel, NBC TV and WBAI 99.5 FM NYC.

Now established in New York City, Chino Pons continues to play regularly in some of the top venues and has toured widely throughout Central and North America. Chino continues to  perform live and is currently working on his next album, spreading his unique take on classic Cuban music throughout the world. He recently founded Guanabacoa Records, a record label focusing on traditional Cuban Music.