Samuel Águila Monteagudo, Cuban composer, singer, and guitarist. He was born in Havana on October 15, 1974. In 1986, he began studying music at the Paulita Concepción Conservatory (Calzada del Cerro No. 1662, Cerro, Havana), and later at the Félix Varela (Patrocinio No. 53 between Poey and Heredia, October 10, Havana), a Professional Development Center where he completed secondary education, specifically in guitar.

He began his artistic career in 1988, the year he participated in the National Artistic Festival For a World Without End. In 1989, Samuel Águila joined the Hermanos Saíz Association (National Address: Pabellón Cuba, Calle 23 e/ N y M. Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) and that same year he participated in the Conservatory Guitar Festival, where he received a Special Mention.

Águila hosted the “Incomunicados” peña, which took place at the Casa de la Cultura in the Plaza district of Havana (Calzada No. 909, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana). He participated in a meeting with Spanish singer-songwriter Luis Pastor, which also featured Santiago Feliú. Also worthy of mention is the concert at the Casa de la Cultura Theater in Plaza (Calzada No. 909, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) with Fernando Bécquer, accompanied by the group Alto Contraste. He has also been invited to concerts at the New Latin American Cinema and Boleros de Oro festivals.

He is a persevering troubadour who promotes spaces for the exchange of ideas through music, a fact that is reflected in his creation and development of projects such as Puntal Alto, a vital space for creators at the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Center (Calle de la Muralla No. 63 between Oficios and Inquisidor. Old Havana. Havana).

Among Samuel Águila’s nationally acclaimed performances are a meeting with Argentine singer-songwriter Moncho Mier, sponsored by Casa de las Américas (3rd and G Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana). He performed at the National Museum of Fine Arts Theater (Trocadero Street between Zulueta and Monserrate Streets, Old Havana, Havana), alongside David Sirgado, Aldo Antonio, Fernando Bécquer, and poet Sergio A. Gómez. He also participated in the Cuban-Brazilian meeting held at La Madriguera, where he sang with Brazilians Vicente Barreto and Carlos Bahía, and Cubans David Sirgado, Fernando Bécquer, and Aldo Antonio. He also participated in a meeting with Canarian singer-songwriter Eduardo Perdomo, organized by Alberto Faya at Casa de las Américas (3rd and G Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana), alongside other prominent artists.

Águila performed in concert at the Che Guevara Hall of the Casa de las Américas (3rd and G Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) with troubadours Carlos Porcell Nahuel from Mexico, Grupo Sudamérica from Colombia, and Pancho Villa from Chile. He also participated as a guest in a concert held at the Aula Magna of the University of Havana (University Avenue and G Street, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) by Peruvian troubadour Daniel Escobar (Kiri). He served as artistic director and troubadour in the tribute made by troubadours to the composer and guitarist John Lennon, “Trovar a Lennon,” held at the theater of the National Museum of Fine Arts (Trocadero Street between Zulueta and Monserrate, Old Havana, Havana). He is featured as a guest at the concert entitled, Not the Whole Earth, by Chilean composer and performer Isabel Parra at the A Guitarra Limpia space of the Pablo de la Torriente Brau Cultural Center (Calle de la Muralla No. 63 between Oficios and Inquisidor. Old Havana. Havana).

She has performed internationally, including the Giant Concert at the Terrassa Festival in Plaza Dido, sponsored by the Barcelona Youth Council. There, she gave a concert at the Second Intercontinental Meeting for Humanity and Against Neoliberalism. She also shared the stage with Cuban singer-songwriter Raúl Torres at Santa Bárbara Castle in Alicante, Spain, in an event known as Noches del Castillo. In Guatemala, she toured, performing at the La Cúpula Cultural Center, organized by the Youth Legion and the Casa de las Américas (3rd and G Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana).

In the Dominican Republic, Samuel performed at La Casa del Teatro, alongside Dominicans Patricia Pereira, José Antonio Rodríguez, Lenny Abreu, and Cuban musicians Ihosvany Bernal and Carlos Varela. He was invited to participate in the People’s Summit held in Quebec City, Canada, alongside prominent troubadour Vicente Feliú. He performed at the Catholic University Auditorium, the Tajabone, the Museum of the Nation, and later in the cities of Cusco and Trujillo, Peru. On a tour of Central America, he performed in Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica with Cuban troubadours Juan Carlos Pérez and Vicente Feliú. Along with Marta Campos and William Vivanco, he participated in another tour of Central America, performing in countries such as Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. He was part of the artistic delegation that sang for the Cuban medical mission in Haiti. In Mexico, he shared the stage with artists performing as part of the World Trade Organization (WTO) program.

He also participated in the Canta Cuba Festival held in Italy, accompanying Jorge Reyes, bass; Emilio Morales, piano; Germán Velazco, saxophone; Anaís Abreu, singer; and Pachito Alonso and his Kini Kini.

The lyrics of his songs address everyday conflicts faced by human beings, love, and life itself. His best-known songs include “Queriendo” and “Del Otro Lado del Sol.”

Samuel Águila’s songs appear on albums such as: “Arando el fin”, “Aunque duela”, “Posturas cotidianas”, “Trova Joven en vivo, Año I”, “Puntal Alto”, “Antología de la Nueva Trova, Vol. 4”, Trovanónima, with the BIS Music label in 2001.

He has performed alongside prominent Cuban musicians such as Silvio Rodríguez, Vicente and Santiago Feliú, Sara González, Gerardo Alfonso, Anabell López, Liuba María Hevia, Lázaro García, Manuel Argudín, Heidi Igualada and Carlos Varela, as well as with singer-songwriters of his generation: Ariel Díaz, Ariel Barreiro and Junior Navarrete.

Samuel Águila has developed a unique and authentic way of interpreting his music, centered on Cuban trova, drawing on diverse sources: Nueva Trova, ethnic music from various regions, rock, and classical. Samuel is one of the most authentic troubadours of his generation. He is a versatile guitarist who has developed a unique playing style with unparalleled harmony.