In one of many Buena Vista Social Club offshoots, this outfit is led by Jesús ‘Aguaje’ Ramos. Alongside performing on the band’s world tour, this musical director and trombonist worked on the solo albums of three original members, including the late great Ibrahim Ferrer. Here, Ramos was joined by fellow originals Luis Mariano Valiente Marin (congas, bongo) and Fabian Garcia (bass), as well as his daughter and fellow trombonist Lorena Ramos Diaz. Together with percussionist Antonio Rubio Borayo, pianist Andy Abad Acosta (or niño bonito as he’s affectionately known) and trumpet player Amaury Tamayo, the band play their way through original compositions, Buena Vista Social Club hits, and Latin American classics from ‘Bésame Mucho’ to a touching Celia Cruz homage.

Vocalists Geidy Chapman and Yuri Tejada Rodriguez take turns in leading songs, both of them possessing immense power and rich tone. While the camaraderie on stage is high, a hierarchy is also present. The ‘maestro’, as Ramos is known, is in full control, the singers even asking for his permission to step into the spotlight to command their audience (we are all brought to our feet more than once). Ramos provides order to the serendipitous nature of this Afro-Cuban musical celebration, like a clock keeping time as all the syncopated rhythms run off in different directions. Sadly, the formal theatre setting and distance between stage and audience prevents us getting totally lost in the party atmosphere until the very end, but when Ramos and his band’s infectious joy hits us, everyone is dancing in the aisles. 

Jesús ‘Aguaje’ Ramos & Buena Vista Orchestra reviewed at Theatre Royal, Glasgow; pictures by Marcellus Moohan.