MIAMI, United States. – Meme Solís’ annual concerts in Miami They tend to create a kind of friendly anxiety among their hundreds of followers, because the tickets are sold out in just a few hours and no one wants to endure the possibility of being left out of the cultural and social event.
The historic Artime Theater in Little Havana It was the setting for his most recent performance, where fans arrived early in the morning, dressed in their best attire because they know that the revered artist looks elegant in an impeccable three-piece suit with a showy flower in his buttonhole.
The call is like a nostalgic brotherhood of Cuban musicunder the artistic responsibility of a chansonnier major, who knew how to mitigate, at the height of his fame, the unhealthy consequences of the “olive-green” whirlwind.
Meme Solís was modernity, between the 60s and 70s, before being attacked. A prophet in her own land, star of legendary concerts that were completely sold out at the Teatro Amadeo Roldán and other venues, such as cabarets that were later absurdly cancelled.
During their recent performance in Miami, one of the members of Los Tres de La Habana said at the top of his voice: “Meme is Cuba, our culture.” The trio performed a song that Solís had written for Tropicana and which still serves as a musical gateway to the “cabaret under the stars,” without recognition of the composer.
There is an admirable conversational communication between Meme Solís and his followers. These are totally spontaneous dialogues, which seek to establish the tone and narrative of his inimitable concerts.
During the presentation of the Artime Theater, which opened and closed with all the participating artists on stage, in the style of Broadway musicals, the Maestro – as his colleagues call him – once again showed generosity and interest in the tireless search and presentation of new talents.
Juan Manuel Campos, a spirited and exquisite violinist, as well as a charro, who also happened to be Cuban, Luis Alberto Fernández, delighted the audience.
Both Los Tres de La Habana and Marisela Verena brought the rhythmic flavour that characterises much of Cuban music. Verena made Solís dance on stage.
The author of Another dawn He took the opportunity to encourage local investors to support Miami’s culture, where so much talent abounds.
Of course, he once again reserved a privileged place for the Burkes – Malena and Lena – royalty of the island’s influential songbook.
Solís recalled that he has been fortunate to make music with three generations of the Burkes, starting with the legendary Elenato whom he owes the beginning of his artistic work.
Mother and daughter performed classics by Meme Solís, as well as new compositions, some of which appear on the recently released album: Malena Burke sings to Meme Solís (Volume 1).
The Artime Theatre show included an international moment of great female strength, with the Spanish singer Nadaya, who flew several hours from Europe to enjoy it and came on stage from the auditorium invited by Solís. The singer will accompany him during his next performances in Spain.
Dominican Diomary, The Bad Onewhom Meme Solís met during a bolero festival in Mexico, is the other member of this segment. A powerful bolero singer with a monumental figure, she had always longed for such an encounter in Miami.
The music for the show was provided by a meticulous orchestra directed by Carlos Hernández. The female voice quartet of Meme Solís, who provided vocal accompaniment and production, as always, was under the direction of Félix Romeo.
The contagious happiness of the composer, pianist, musical director, singer, arranger and host of the best of Cuban culture makes it difficult to believe that he was punished for 18 years by not leaving Cuba, as was his wish.
In Meme Solís, however, there is not a hint of resentment. He forgave the members of his quartet when they were forced to denigrate him politically and he has always found space for newcomers who wish to reinvent their careers as he did successfully, when he emerged from the uncertainty of exile, or for those classics cast aside by the regime that used and sullied them.
Shortly before the end of the concert, Meme Solís embarked on a dreamlike journey with the keyboard of her magic piano through emblematic songs of American pride. It was her way of publicly thanking the nation that gave her back her dignity and opportunity to once again embark on a triumphant comeback that illuminates more than six decades of her career.
When he performed a beautiful version of the American national anthem, the audience joined him in an impulsive chorus of: “USA, USA, USA!”
