Not everyone is a Master nor can they become one. Sometimes an uncontrolled exaltation leads us to “hang” the title on anyone. But in front of the pianist, composer, arranger, producer and musical director Miguelito Núñez, the word acquires its original meaning.
Rigorously trained and using extraordinary talent, Núñez studied music at the Instituto Superior de Arte. Before starting to work with the unforgettable Pablo Milanés in 1998, he collaborated with singer-songwriters such as the brothers Vicente and Santiago Feliú.
There are no borders or walls that Miguelito’s piano does not cross: it goes from Chopin to changüí, from Bach to jazz, to son, to bolero. It is not for nothing that renowned artists such as Leo Brouwer, Mercedes Sosa, Ana Belén and Chucho Valdés have invited him to their concerts and record productions.
When we saw him with Pablo in what would be the last concert of the great singer-songwriter, we saw how much communication and affection existed between them. “It’s as if he were my son,” Pablo said when introducing him. More than twenty years working together consolidated the bond of admiration and affection.
“For me he was like a father, an older brother, a friend for life. We live very beautiful moments, other difficult ones; but we shared many times of happiness, of inventing projects, embarking on paths… Pablo was fundamental in my professional and personal life. Without him, I know I’m going to feel strange for a long time. I came to work in Spain practically because of him. To undertake or follow his path, it will be hard for us, ”he says to OnCuba.
Miguel’s Trio is the name of the project that Núñez founded a few years ago and with which he made the album Blue under the Cuban seal Unicornio. The group remains active and even “playing more”.
“Especially in Europe, which is the area in which I move. Then a piano and cello duo emerged (Cary Rosa Varona and me) which is, let’s say, my new project. He is walking very well. We have several concerts and it is very attractive for everyone. I have plans to make a new record and we are planning a tour of the United States. We would like to include Europe in the journey, with new songs that I have composed and doing versions of songs by our beloved Pablo, as a kind of tribute to him”, he tells us.
Miguelito Núñez recently appeared on the island, invited by the National Symphony Orchestra for a concert tribute to the fiftieth anniversary of the Nueva Trova Movement.
For years you have maintained your work as a producer, composer, arranger… Musically speaking, what motivates you the most?
Composition and productions. I still owe myself a debt; I haven’t been that prolific a songwriter either. The same job has led me to other things: making arrangements, playing live; and I have left the other a little aside; although I love it. I am more of emotional moments when composing. Here comes my story. Of course, I still really like to play.
For some time you have shared the stage with your daughters Estefanía Núñez Villamandos (pianist) and Mariana Núñez Villamandos (cellist). Do you run the risk of being too strict with them or the opposite?
It’s not because I’m the father, but the talent of these two girls makes me create more, it inspires me to do new things. They are very creative. One feels comfortable that projects can be created within the same family, that they give criteria, give their opinion, that they change musical structures, that they contribute melodies, improvisations… It gives me great pleasure and refreshes the things I do. Estefanía and Mariana come with new airs. I feel divine sharing with the two of them, we had a lot of fun, even rehearsing.
You are stricter with your children than with anyone; but I have always preferred that they learn more from their teachers than from me. I did not work directly with them. If they learned it is because they saw it or felt it.
We remember your work for cinema, for example in the film Mauritius Diary Pages (2006). Have you done other collaborations for the big screen?
I have continued with some documentaries. I recently worked with filmmaker Gloria Rolando on Heart sisters. Memories of the Oblate Sisters of Providence in the United States and Cuba and now I am involved in a documentary about Gabriel García Márquez.
How do you perceive Cuba every time you return?
Despite all the problems, the difficulties we have, it is a relief to arrive here. It is like arriving in your paradise, in your environment, in your environment. The body knows that it enters a place where it feels good and everything is fixed, even sleep. That will always be the island, inevitably, our island.
