Cayman’s nearest neighbour, Cuba,
is renowned for its rich and beautiful musical heritage. Wandering around
Habana Vieja, the soundtrack is what can only be termed a heady blend of
conversation, car engines and the perennial theatre of the streets. But more
than that, the casual traveller will hear something quite special emanating
from bars, paladares and restaurants alike – it’s a melodious, compelling and
rhythmically irresistible melange of salsa, son and cha-cha-cha. Music is truly
part of the Cuban soul and here in the Cayman Islands there’s a teacher of
piano and percussion who grew up immersed in the undulating musical magnificence
of the Cuban capital – where he studied – via the city of Trinidad, where he
was born.
Expressive pianist
Julio Jimenez-Ortiz has toured
extensively with various Latin jazz, Cuban and classical ensembles, having
become known in Cuba as an innovative arranger and composer and dynamic and
expressive pianist and percussionist with a real feel for Afro-Caribbean
rhythm.
Having relocated to Cayman last
year – via Bermuda and Canada – the talented musician first worked at a local
school as a Spanish teacher before settling into a role tutoring pupils in
percussion, piano and theory.
“Music is music,” he said,
succinctly, recounting his own initial experiences learning classical pieces at
Olga Alonza School of Arts in Santa Clara, Cuba. He added that his own theoretical
training was bolstered by the more immediate, emotional and even untrained
musicians of the streets which he loved.
“I found myself a friend who taught
me; his technique was really bad and he couldn’t play any classical but he knew
the music of the street – to me it doesn’t make sense just teaching (scales).
It’s important, but it’s not everything – I have a very open mind.”
It’s an approach the jazz fanatic
feels is ideal; learning technique is vital, but it’s also very important to
appreciate the sounds that are all around. That applies as much to Canada as it
does to Cuba – and now, the Cayman Islands.
“I believe that it’s never too
early or too late (to find your own music). When people come here for a class,
I have all ranges of students, from high school to offices – after they have
their class they’re happy.
“The music has taken their mind out
of the daily routine of the office, or the school, or work, and people leave
their lessons relaxed and looking forward to the next time.”
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