"Trova is infinite and is where better merge text and music." Thus expresses the young singer Jorge Batista Noel, author of the theme Cazando vientos (Hunting winds):
Tus ojos / despeinan el parque la noche demora/ y te vuelves cargada de abrazos / que alargan su fuego y se quedan conmigo / cantando y es la ciudad / esas tantas horas / por las que estarás / pálida en flor / tejiendo versos. vistes de calle / toda duda / vas al descuido de locuras guardas distancias / cual ayuda / vierte una tormenta/ acuna los besos fieros / del intento. y voy / como pared / dejando pronunciar los días más cuando faltes / ya estaré / cazando vientos / y me iré.
Born in the city of Santiago de Cuba on July 14, 1991, Noelito, the chick or the prince of the trova, as used to call him friends and customers of his work is part of Santiago's bohemian budded beyond parks , portals, cafes and nightspots of a city that now suffers from an inability to create and sustain mechanisms that highlight and support the young Avalanche committed to their identity, culture and creative thinking artists.
Noel is now part of the format accompanying the singer Ray Fernandez, this time with the feel of a very special as it is the three guitar t. Let's stay a few minutes in the privacy of this minstrel to grasp his poetry:
What does the Nueva Trova means for you?
When I discovered the songs of Silvio, Pablo, Noel, and those who followed them (like Santiago Feliu, Gerardo Alfonso and all Habana Abierta ) , my world changed completely.
I come from a music school where students are well away from the trova, but I can say that my life moved toward a richer way, to and understand her and poetry.
How is make a troubadour?
A troubadour's a warrior; he is a poet and musician who gives good stories born in his head or what you see. I think that for being minstrel is not enough to play guitar and sing nice ... We must elevate the soul, become a brother of life, out of a song, getting lost, returning to another song. It is not a sissies task.
How important is a city like Santiago de Cuba in your creative and personal universe?
Santiago is my love .... There are wonderful people, great musicians and artists in general. So far I have achieved most of my songs in Santiago.
Being a city with few options, the artists met more often, we go to the Casa de la Trova, where many musicians who have a very strong tradition still exist and can listen to groups that sound a are aggressive, that alive. See you at the same coffee, the same park, the same house of a partner and this interaction is essential for creation. My life is marked by the city: from the way I talk to my behavior in many situations.
Is there a crisis or not in the visibility and promotion of Santiago troubadours in and out of town?
I was talking to Rogelio Ramos, journalist and composer; He told me one time that the trova always had little promotion in general and Santiago de Cuba was no an exception. It is clear the lack of promotion of the current Santiago trova nationwide. It is given space in some TV and radio, but not enough. It is also important to say that the troubadours have own fault in this matter: not we all worry about our promotion or have interesting proposals.
Culture in Cuba is threatened, not only as the trova genre. People should know its rhythms, its culture. We are a rich country and not take advantage. When you check the number of troubadours in Santiago, you realize that it is wide. The lack of a solid movement is due to the carelessness of the troubadours themselves. We are asleep at this point. I say this because there is the example of Villa Clara, with the Trovuntivitis. These people started on rooftops, homes of friends, and were gaining a place and a name as a movement. The union is essential to move a city like Santiago, often filled with people who do not understand anything.
What inspires you to make a good song?
Making a good song is not easy. A long agreement between what you're feeling and what you think is right or wrong, with text and music ... To me have inspired me usually moments I've lived in loving relationships is created, from the weakest to which They leave you name and site.
A song running through your sensitivity to birth is magical. It takes dedication, study. To make a good song I can not lose sight of, I have to believe, to return to the delight of the naive, have patience.
If you were not a minstrel, what would you be?
I studied music in Santiago de Cuba, classical guitar at the Esteban Salas conservatory. Since childhood I was a trova lover. I never forget the first time I saw Fito Paez on TV. If not I would have stayed troubadour accompanying guitarist, performing songs already written by another ... Anyway continue in music.
I thank life that gave me the opportunity to discover me composer. To my songs it is directed everything: each new chord, every beat, and every genre that I learn. Thanks to the entire universe for me troubadour.
Tell me about your musical influences.
They come from Brazil and Cuba, of course. I strongly agree with the work of D'javan, Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque, many traditional Cuban music around the country, especially I'm crazy with the work of Miguel Matamoros. More recently I also identify with Eduardo Sosa, William Vivanco, Rolando Berrío.
How would you like to visual Santiago de Cuba in five years?
I wish that from Santiago de Cuba can do a little more open life to job opportunities and artistic promoting as from Havana. Many people criticize a bit when you go to live outside it, not understanding that one does love the city, is just that everything is more difficult from here. I wish were less polluted, in every way, that resumes its bohemian, to be more inclusive.
What does it mean to be a Cuban troubadour to you?
Being a Cuban troubadour is the best that could had happen to me. It's what strengthens my patriotism