Music

Watch Alex Cuba's Tiny Desk session

To celebrate Latin American Heritage Month, the Cuban Canadian musician performed a 4-song set for NPR's Tiny Desk Latin music takeover series, 'El Tiny.'

The Cuban Canadian musician's 4-song set was part of NPR's Tiny Desk Latin music takeover series, 'El Tiny'

To celebrate Latin American Heritage Month, NPR organized a Latin music takeover of its popular Tiny Desk series.

Dubbed "El Tiny," the takeover has so far featured Chicano singer-songwriter DannyLux, Venezuelan band Rawayana and Dominican rapper J Noa. The latest musician in the "El Tiny" spotlight is Canada's Alex Cuba, multiple Juno and Latin Grammy Award winner, who performed the intimate four-song set streaming above.

"Alex Cuba's superpower is his undeniable charm as he weaves evocative imagery into musical arrangements that not only call to mind his native Cuba but anywhere an acoustic guitar and engaging voice command attention," says NPR producer Felix Contreras.

Cuba is joined in the cozy Tiny Desk studio by Yoser Rodríguez (bass), Alain Bergé (drums), Javier García (vocals, percussion) and Roberto Vizcaino Jr. (percussion). Here's their set list:

  • "Ciudad Hembra (La Habana)"
  • "De Camino"
  • "Chekere"
  • "Sarah"

NPR's Tiny Desk concerts present intimate video performances, recorded live at the desk of producer Bob Boilen, who founded the series in 2008 and who recently retired.

Recent Tiny Desk performers include Chloë, Sam Smith, Post Malone, and Bono and the Edge.

Cuba will tour Spain in October. He'll perform at Koerner Hall in Toronto on April 26, 2024.