Cubadisco International Fair, founded in 1997 and organized by the Cuban Music Institute, is the most integrating event of the Cuban Music Industry and it constitutes a preferential space to expose the main achievements of Cuban Music.
In this XIII edition, expected to be held from May 16 to 24, 2009, Cubadisco will have Puerto Rico as Guest of Honor and it will be a propitious opportunity to pay tribute to important Puerto Rican composers such as Rafael Hernández, Tité Curé Alonso, Pedro Flores, Bobby Capó and Daniel Santos as well as to enjoy the traditional genres of this country like the bomba, plena, danza and seis.
The main topic will be Music and Children , because music is an essential part within culture, identity, intellectual education and development, becoming very important for human growth.
Andy Montañez is deeply honored
Adalberto Álvarez, El Caballero del Son
Puerto Rican Singer songwriter Andy Montañez declared to be deeply honored because the Cubadisco 2009 International Fair will be dedicated to Puerto Rico, according to a report of the National Information Agency.
At the end of the presentation of the CD Control , by Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco, the Puerto Rican salsa and bolero singer added that he came to Cuba because he likes to share and to have a good time with Cuban people who have always welcomed him in a special way. I come to the Island because I like its music, I have mutual friends so I am very pleased to accept all the invitations, he commented.
Referring to the song Niebla del Riachuelo , he performes in the CD Control, he said that since he was young he was a great fan of Pacho Alonso, who immortalized that musical piece. He explained that he has kept always up to date with Cuban music and in particular with Simonet´s work, and there are many common points between the melodies of both countries.
He pointed out there are compositions like Cachita and La Cumbanchera which have been wrongly attributed to Cuba but they are actually from Puerto Rico.
Montañez expressed he prefers to sing bolero rather than singing salsa because it was the first thing he did at the age of 16. When improvising a chorus, he assured there is Montañez for a while yet and that there will be, since the ones singing are many.
El Caballero del Son of Cuba, world known as the composer of dance songs like A Bayamo en coche , Y qué tú quieres que te den , Para bailar casino , Mi linda Habanera and Gozando en La Habana , was bestowed 2008 National Music Prize.
Adalberto Álvarez, born on November 22, 1948, stands out also as arranger and pianist. He achieved great popularity as director of the Orchestra Son 14 founded in 1978, in the historical city of Santiago de Cuba. In 1984 he decided to create his own band Adalberto Álvarez y su Son making important contributions to Cuban music and keeping in the preference of dancers all over the world.
This National Prize is granted to Cuban musicians for their creative and interpretative work. Adalberto expressed to be very proud of being part of the select list of Cuban musicians who have been awarded this Prize, among them Pablo Milanés, Rosita Fornés, Frank Fernández, Omara Portuondo, Leo Brouwer, Juan Formell, Silvio Rodríguez, Luis Carbonell, Marta Valdés, Celina González, Harold Gramatges, Digna Guerra, Noel Nicola, César Portillo and Chucho Valdés. He also declared that the Prize comes to him in a very creative moment and that it represents the most significant fact in his career this year. Adalberto Álvarez and Andy Montañez are guests of honor at Cubadisco 2009.
Puerto Rico and its Music
Rafael Hernández (October 1892 – December 1965) outstanding figure of Puerto Rican popular music of the XX century, his work goes beyond time and generations. He was born in Aguadilla town; he began his musical studies at the age of 12 learning instruments like violin, cornet, trombone, saxhorn, piano and guitar. In 1912 he wrote his first composition, a danza entitled María y Victoria . He joined the Army Music Band during the World War I and he came to Cuba by means of a contract to conduct the orchestra of Havana Fausto Theater. After four years in the Island he returned to Puerto Rico and organized the Trio Borinquen writing hits like Siciliana , Me la pagarás and Menealo were big hits. He founded a new band, originally named Grupo Hernández and later Conjunto Victoria, being this period one of the most importan tones of his career.
Elected the honorary President of the Puerto Rico Composers and Authors Association between 1956 and 1959, his legacy includes almost all musical genres with over 3000 compositions like: Lamento Borincano , Silencio , Ausencia , Campanitas de Cristal , Preciosa and the lullaby that bécame a rumba El Cumbanchero. He also composed Mexican folk song Que chula es Puebla , considered as the regional anthem of this Mexican State. The song Linda Quisqueya is appreciated by some Dominican people as the second anthem of the nation.
Rafael Hernández´ musical work represents a valuable legacy to Puerto Rican and Spanish American musical creation. His life has remained as an everlasting example of sensitivity, perseverance and improvement. His songs have been included in the repertoires of some contemporary singers of salsa, rap, reggae, ska and rock which proved his importance into the pentagram, at the end of the XX century.
Puerto Rican Singer songwriter Andy Montañez declared to be deeply honored because the Cubadisco 2009 International Fair will be dedicated to Puerto Rico, according to a report of the National Information Agency.
El Caballero del Son of Cuba, world known as the composer of dance songs like A Bayamo en coche , Y qué tú quieres que te den , Para bailar casino , Mi linda Habanera and Gozando en La Habana , was bestowed 2008 National Music Prize. 
Rafael Hernández (October 1892 – December 1965) outstanding figure of Puerto Rican popular music of the XX century, his work goes beyond time and generations. He was born in Aguadilla town; he began his musical studies at the age of 12 learning instruments like violin, cornet, trombone, saxhorn, piano and guitar. In 1912 he wrote his first composition, a danza entitled María y Victoria . He joined the Army Music Band during the World War I and he came to Cuba by means of a contract to conduct the orchestra of Havana Fausto Theater. After four years in the Island he returned to Puerto Rico and organized the Trio Borinquen writing hits like Siciliana , Me la pagarás and Menealo were big hits. He founded a new band, originally named Grupo Hernández and later Conjunto Victoria, being this period one of the most importan tones of his career.