The Story

Mista Savona, one of Australia’s leading reggae and dancehall producers and accomplished pianist, has gathered some of Cuba and Jamaica’s most influential musicians in the one recording studio to create a world first album, earning him an ARIA nomination in 2018 for Best World Music Album.

‘Havana Meets Kingston’ brings together established and emerging Cuban and Jamaican musicians in an album of mostly original songs, as well as covers of classic Cuban material. The main recording sessions took place over 10 days in June 2015 at the famous Egrem Studio in Havana, Cuba. Savona personally flew seven Jamaicans into Havana for these sessions, including Sly & Robbie and Bongo Herman among other greats. Since this time he has traveled to Jamaica, Cuba and the UK numerous times to complete the recordings.

Artists recorded

Cubans

Barbarito Torres (Buena Vista Social Club)
Yaroldi Abreu
Félix Baloy (Afro-Cuban All Stars)
Changuito (Los Van Van)
Rolando Luna (Buena Vista Social Club)
Beatriz Marquez
Telmary Diaz
El Medico
Raspadura (Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiros)
Julito Padron
Maikel Ante
Frank Solis
Gaston Joya
Pepe Ordaz
Koto
Alejandro Falcon
Juan Carlos
Jacinto Herrera
Antonio Leal
David Suarez
La Armada (Puchoman & Krazyman)
Oliver Valdes
Anyilena
Brenda Navarette