Bola de Nieve. Foto: Archivo de Granma

Havana, September 10 (RHC)-- A group of Cuban musicians have joined their talents in a new album dedicated to singer-pianist and songwriter Ignacio Jacinto Villa Fernández –better known as Bola de Nieve.

An initiative of Adriana Pasos, Arts and Repertoire Director of Cuba’s EGREM label, the new musical production, in big band format, includes such renowned pianists as Roberto Carlos ‘Cucurucho’, Rodrigo Ameneiros García, Efraín Chiváz ‘Pacho’, along with drummer Rudy Herrera, bassist Yandy Martínez, bassist and arranger Arturo Cruz.

Other instrumentalists also collaborate in this project, jazz pianist Arturo O’Farril and trumpet player Yasek Manzano. Featured singers include Polito Ibáñez, El Noro, Paulo FG and Luna Manzanares, among others.

Produced by Michel Herrera, the new album includes news versions, in big band format, of some of the most iconic piano songs popularized by Bola -- as he was also fondly called.

Herrera said it is a big challenge, as well as a great honor, taking into account that Bola the Nieve is one of the greatest, best known and most popular all-time Cuban musicians.