Jade, a prominent contemporary Cuban alternative music duo, formed in 2005. They made their debut at the 10 de Octubre Municipal Museum, in the “La caja de nada” space. Initially, Jade consisted of Yanaisa Prieto Pedroso, who serves as its director, and Maygred Bourricaudy, guitarist and backing vocalist.

Currently, their roster consists of seven musicians, making Jade an unusual duo, as it consists of seven members. Their instrumental format has expanded with the aim of interpreting other songs and genres that require it. Among its members are Yoandry San Martín (Percussion); Leandro Severo Pérez (Drums); Josué Borges Maresma (Flute, arranger, and musical director); Frank Portuondo (Bass); David Labrada (Piano).

Jade’s repertoire includes songs that showcase a fusion of elements from various Cuban and international music genres, as well as the influence of traditional son. Others showcase Brazilian sounds, funk, milonga, and Cuban song. Most of them are composed by the band’s director and flutist, although we also find pieces by other young composers. The themes addressed in their songs are social in nature, such as friendship, love, and everyday life. Traditional music pieces such as Estoy Hecho Tierra by Ñico Saquito are performed in their performances.

Among the defining characteristics of this Cuban duo are their excellent vocal work, based on the blending and closeness of the timbres of both voices, as well as their meticulous tuning.

In 2005, they performed at the Artmundi Intercultural Space in Patio de María; and
at the Espacio Conciertos Amigos, held in the Theater-Hall of the Rubén Martínez Villena Library (Obispo No. 59, Old Havana, Havana), a stage where they performed again in 2006.

The following year, Jade performed at Espacio El Portal, held at the José Antonio Díaz Peláez Experimental School of Visual Arts (23rd and C Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana). Also around that time, they performed at Espacio X, Literary Café at the Pabellón Cuba (23rd and N and M Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana), alongside singer-songwriter Arema and poet and composer Sinecio Verdecia. This was the venue where they performed again in 2008.

The Jade Duo has taken their music to numerous venues, theaters, musical events and radio and television programs, among them we can mention the UNEAC Villena Hall (17th Street between G and H, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana), the Poetry Without End Festival, the International Workshop on Emancipatory Paradigms, the 5th Identity Biennial, the Plaza Cultural Center (Calzada No. 909, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana) at the Singer-Songwriter Marta Campos’ Peña, the Radio Program A propósito on Radio Metropolitana, the Radio Program Se dice cubano on Habana Radio, and the TV Program Entre Manos.

Also added to this list is their performance in the show that takes place at the Patio Amarillo in Old Havana every Friday. They have also participated as guests on the Educational Channel program, Paréntesis.

Jade was invited to the closing concert of the “House Through the Window” event, held by the Casa de las Américas cultural institution (3rd and G Streets, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana), as part of its summer season. On that occasion, they performed key songs from their repertoire, such as “Más lejos que el sol” (Farther Than the Sun), “Rumba Sin Sentimiento, Pero Caminando” (Rumba Without Feeling, But Walking), inspired by the poem “Caminando” (Walking) by Cuban National Poet Nicolás Guillén, and “Son a Felina” (Son a Felina).

Among Jade’s various international appearances, highlights include her performance at the Multicultural Week event “Multimusikalaen” in the city of Lasarte, Basque Country; her talk-concert at the University of Bayonne, French Basque Country; and her performance in San Sebastián at the Altxerri Jazz Club. In the Basque Country, she performed alongside the clown group Pirritx, Porrotx, and Mari Motots at the Usurbil Town Hall Sports Center. She and her band recorded an album dedicated to children, “Los amigos de la Risa,” with them.

He has also shared the stage with great figures of Cuban music such as Gerardo Alfonso, Marta Campos and Heidi Igualada.