Rubén Lester González Valdés, a prominent Cuban troubadour, was born in 1977 in Havana, although his entire body of work has been created in Santiago de Cuba. His parents encouraged him to study classical guitar. He began at the EVA in Santiago de Cuba when he was ten years old, later moving on to the Guillermo Tomá Conservatory (San Juan Bosco No. 57, Guanabacoa, Havana) in Guanabacoa, where he spent two years. He then returned to Santiago de Cuba and enrolled at the Esteban Salas Conservatory (Santa Lucia No. 304, between San Félix and San Pedro, Santiago de Cuba), where he graduated from the elementary level of music with a specialization in guitar. He also studied at the José María Heredia Vocational Art School and the Lauro Fuentes Institute. He specialized in computer science without neglecting the guitar, and eventually, he stayed with music.

His musical career began as a composer, arranger, and guitarist in the rock band “La Guerrilla.” He later joined the trova-fusion group “Altoriesgo,” led by Santiago-born singer-songwriter Felipón, where he served as bassist.

He also joined the national fusion music project “Muralla” for a period of six years. There he developed as a composer, guitarist, and arranger until the project disbanded at the decision of its director, Glenda Díaz Picasso. The collapse of the project was a hard blow, as Rubén González was already making his presence felt through that group, but it turned out to be a positive development, as it inspired the young man to launch his solo career as a troubadour.

In a short time, driven by his talent, the young Cuban troubadour was touring Italy, Spain, and France, where he spent several years performing concerts and recording a demo.

Rubén González has attended various national music events and festivals, such as the May Pilgrimages, the Political Song Festival, and the Pepe Sánchez Festival, among others.

Recently, he participated in the first album by the Hermanos Saíz Association (AHS) with EGREM, which featured songs from the younger generation of troubadours and included a national tour and several concerts. He later participated in the 6th Identity Biennial, held in Jarahueca, in honor of Ada Elba Pérez.

He participated in the International Transmusical Festival in Paris, France, alongside singer-songwriter William Vivanco, and also in the International Project Los Caminos de Santiago in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. He represented the Santiaguero songwriting movement in Rome and Naples, Italy.

For his achievements, he received the 20th Anniversary Distinction from the Hermanos Saíz Association. He is a member of the artistic council of the Directorate of Culture in Santiago de Cuba and is the current vice president of the Hermanos Saiz Association, in the Santiago branch.

Rubén González is included in the Miguel Matamoros Provincial Music Center and the Provincial Center for the Performing Arts’ catalog of excellence for his outstanding work as a composer of soundtracks for theater and audiovisuals.