The great celebration of Cuban recorded music, Cubadisco 2026, officially kicked off this Saturday, May 16, with an awards gala held at the Covarrubias Hall of Cuba’s National Theater, where the most outstanding national music productions were recognized in 35 specialized categories. The Grand Prize of this year’s edition was awarded to renowned singer Isaac Delgado for his album Mira cómo vengo.
During the ceremony, Cary Diez, president of the Awards Committee, reported that 220 works were submitted across 12 competitive areas. Of these, 124 productions received nominations, in addition to the Honorary Awards and Special Awards granted to prominent figures and institutions of Cuban culture.
One of the evening’s most awarded albums was De regreso a la aldea, which received the Cubadisco Award in the academic category, as well as honors for Best Concert Feature Film and Musicological Notes. Maestro Daiana García also received the Award for Artistic Excellence for her leadership of the Havana Chamber Orchestra during the ensemble’s 20th anniversary.
Prior to the gala, the photographic exhibition My Photo with Fidel, organized by the National Museum of Music, was inaugurated. Conceived by maestro Jesús Gómez Cairo and curated by designer Santos Toledo, the exhibition features 22 portraits of emblematic Cuban cultural figures alongside historic leader Fidel Castro, including Bola de Nieve, Omara Portuondo, and Compay Segundo.
“Culture has always been the stronghold of the homeland,” stated Sonia Pérez, director of the museum, while highlighting the tribute dedicated to the centennial of the birth of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro.
In her opening remarks, Cary Diez emphasized the organizers’ efforts to consolidate an event that allows the Cuban people to enjoy music committed to artistic excellence and far removed from mediocrity.
The gala presented Honorary Awards to essential figures of Cuban and Latin American music, including Mayito Rivera, Pedrito Calvo, Pedro Lugo “El Nene,” Orquesta Revé, Septeto Santiaguero, Gilberto Santa Rosa, José Alberto “El Canario,” José Luis Arango, María Elena Vinueza, and Víctor Torres. The International Jazz Plaza Festival and the University of the Arts (ISA) were also recognized.
Special Awards were granted to artists and initiatives with notable cultural impact, among them Pancho Amat, Frank Fernández, Pablo Menéndez, Camerata Cortés, the educational material Solfeo y Armonía, as well as productions dedicated to the work of Berta Armiñán and Franco-Haitian culture.
In the heritage categories, awards went to Orquesta Failde for Caminando Piango Piango, Miriam Ramos for Transparencia, and Maikel Dinza for Destino. In jazz, Mayquel González stood out with Cháchara, while Orlando Maraca Valle and Camerata Cortés were recognized in instrumental music for Nueva Era.
The academic section honored Ariadna Cuéllar for Serenata Concertada, the Havana Chamber Orchestra for De todos los colores —also awarded in the symphonic category— and Ernesto Oliva together with Camerata Romeu for De regreso a la aldea.
Other award-winning artists included Rolando Luna, Annys Batista, Waldo Mendoza, Yamira Díaz, Ernesto Blanco, the group Cuerdas del Alma, Yilian Cañizares, Elito Revé y su Charangón, Wampi, and María Victoria Rodríguez. The new “On Networks” category recognized the series El Jazz. Podcast Música al Día.
International collaborations also stood out, including VoCe by Gino Sitson, Alejandro Rodríguez, and Nancy Morejón; Pizzetti & Montemezzi by Marcos Madrigal and Alessandro Stella; and Nuit Parisienne à La Havane by Roberto Fonseca and Vicent Segal.
“Each one of these works represents the best of humanity and a permanent aspiration to showcase the finest elements of both national and universal culture,” Cary Diez affirmed during the ceremony.
The evening also featured performances by Orquesta Failde, Conexión Salsera, and a special segment dedicated to Cuban son, the genre to which this year’s symposium is devoted.
Cubadisco 2026 will continue through May 24 at Pabellón Cuba, hosting a commercial fair and an academic program dedicated to son music, declared an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
(With information from ACN and Prensa Latina)