Gerardo Alfonso is a prominent singer-songwriter and one of Cuba’s best-known troubadours. He was born on November 1, 1958, in Guanabacoa, Havana. From an early age, he felt a musical inclination, and his first compositions began in his teens. He studied electroenergy, but his interest in artistic and musical activity grew during the 1970s, influenced by the Anglo-Saxon music of groups such as Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and The Vétales, among others.

He joined the Cuban Nueva Trova Movement in 1980, which at the time brought together young and prestigious musicians. During those years, Gerardo joined figures such as Santiago Feliú, Frank Delgado, and Carlos Varela, forming a unique quartet that came to be considered the “second generation” of Cuban Nueva Trova.

His international career took him to numerous countries in America and Europe in 1986, after participating alongside Xiomara Laugart, Alberto Tosca and Pablo Milanés in several concerts in Havana.

Gerado Alfonso recorded his first album, “Volando hacia la luna,” in 1990, alongside Italian and American musicians. That same year, he was invited to participate in the first tribute concert to John Lennon, held in Havana.

He composed his work “Son los sueños todavía” in 1997. This song, dedicated to Ernesto Che Guevara, would eventually become one of his most iconic compositions, which he has performed around the world and has also been performed by several artists.

His music is very urban, poetic, and thoughtful, blending Cuban and foreign genres. Gerardo Alfonso sings about love, humanity, the society he lives in, and his idols, who may be historical figures or ordinary people wandering the streets of Havana.

Among his recordings are: Flying to the Moon (1990); White Sheets (1995); A Clean Guitar (1999); The Illustrated Gentleman from Paris (2001); and Race (2004) and The Summit (2009), among others.

In 2010, accompanied by the piano, he gave several concerts in small venues in the capital: at the El sótano theater hall (K Street No. 514, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. Havana), the UNEAC headquarters (17th Street between G and H, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. Havana), at the Museum of Fine Arts (Trocadero Street between Zulueta and Monserrate, Old Havana. Havana), the National Lyric Theater Palace (Ignacio Agramonte No. 253, Old Havana. Havana) and the Casa del Alba (Line No. 556 corner D, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución. Havana).

In January 2011, Gerardo Alfonso was the guest of honor at the 15th Longina National Troubadours’ Meeting, held in Villa Clara. As part of the event’s program, he gave two concerts, the first in Santa Clara and the other in Caibarién.

Gerardo Alfonso has received valuable recognition for his artistic work and cultural advocacy, both in Cuba and abroad.

Discography: Flying to the Moon, Italy (1990); Have a Little Fun, Germany (1994); White Sheets, BIS Music, Cuba (1995); A Clean Guitar, Pablo de la Torriente Brau Center (63 Muralla Street between Oficios and Inquisidor, Old Havana, Havana), Cuba (1999); Recount, Casa de las Américas (3rd and G Streets, Vedado, Revolution Plaza, Havana), Cuba (2000); The Illustrated Gentleman from Paris, EGREM (2001); Moments, Unicorn, Cuba (2002); The Things I Tell You, BIS Music, Cuba (2003); Race, BIS Music, Cuba (2004) and The Summit (2009).