Gloria and Emilio Estefan Premiere 90 Millas at the Tribeca Film Festival!

(l to r) John Quinones, José Feliciano, Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan, Johnny Pacheco and Nelson González

I'll be the first to admit that I pretty much slept on the Tribeca Film Festival this year, beyond recommending Faubourg Treme.   It took a television appearance by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, to bring my attention to their new documentary, 90 Millas. The five-time Grammy Award winning Latin-Pop singer, and her music producer husband, were persuasive enough, to make me attend the premiere four hours later, at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center.

In translation, 90 millas means 90 miles, which is the distance between the tip of Key West, Florida, to Cuba. Both Emilio and Gloria were born there, and left, after Fidel Castro assumed power.

 

The documentary is a behind-the-scenes story of the making of Ms. Estefan's 2007 album 90 Millas. It gives an historical overview of Afro-Latin music, and how it has been stewarded, over the course of three generations. To make the album, the Estefans brought musicians together, from throughout the United States and Latin America.  Their careers span from those who found fame in the 1940's, to current stars who have infused Reggaeton rhythms, and rap into their repertoire.  Other notables in the film include: La India, Cachao, and actor/musician Andy Garcia.  It was filmed in Miami, Puerto Rico, and New York.

While Cuba continues to have an uncertain future, all of the musicians have become the stewards of keeping Afro-Latin music in the forefront.  Most have gone to great lengths to incorporate Afro-Cuban arrangements, and instruments, into the body of their work.  After the screening, several musicians who appeared in the documentary joined the Estefans, and ABC News' John Quinones, onstage for a question and answer sesssion.  

The musicians of Cuban descent on the panel, all expressed how coming together through music, had given them a continuous, joyful connection to a country that they missed.  Mrs. Estefan noted the similarity of Latin music, whether it was from Cuba or Puerto Rico, "Any place with sun and sand, the music has to be happy."  The charismatic Mr. Estefan, who embraced the elder musicians throughout the discussion, told the audience, "This is truly a historic night. You will never see this again."  Yes, in totality, it was pretty amazing, and was happy to take pictures.

Dressed to the Nines: Candido Camero, Alfredo "Chocolate" Armenteros, Emilio Estefan (standing), Johnny Pacheco and Nelson González