Vocalist & Co-Founder Of Highly Acclaimed Latin Funk Collective Yerba Buena - Debut Solo Album Planned For Fall 2008 -Cuban born with Spanish, Chinese, African and French heritage, CuCu Diamantes came to New York with music in mind.
After finishing ‘fine arts’ studies in Havana and Rome, CuCu felt the pull of the Manhattan’s unique rhythm and has been a devotee and contributor ever since.Shortly after landing on her new “Island”, CuCu teamed with fellow Cuban musician, Juan Carlos Formell and joined his band, Cuba Libre.
Traveling in the tight-knit circle of New York’s Latin music community, Diamantes soon met noted composer, producer and musician Andres Levin. Instant chemistry ensued and the two artists began a writing / creative collaboration which led to the development and inception of the band “Yerba Buena”Evolving quickly, Levin and Diamantes led Yerba Buena to the creation of a unique and critically hailed new sound fusing African Rhythm, the Latin/tropical sound of the Caribbean and the urban grit of New York.
Boasting a previously unimagined blend of Afro-Cuban funk, hip-hop, salsa, nuyorican boogaloo and so much more, Interview Magazine called Yerba Buena “the future sound of Afro-Latin Urban America”, while VIBE declared “Yerba Buena is one of the most exciting bands to hit the Latin music scene in years” and the New York Times hailed the group as “a musicologist's dream… a joyful, ever-evolving, border-hopping groove… something serious gained for .
” With Diamantes functioning as one of the group’s primary vocalists and songwriters, Yerba Buena has gone on to garner a GRAMMY nomination, perform by request alongside artists ranging from The Dave Matthews band to Juanes…from Ray Charles to Celia Cruz (in her last ever-New York concert), and so many more.
Along the way, Levin & Diamantes’ collective has continued to receive far-reaching praise such as:“ our best musical performances” – Late Night with Conan O’Brien“a sizzling jam session”- Wall St.
Journal“The best Latin album of the year… the most danceable concert of the entire year” –Miami Herald“Smoking Hot… Resistance is futile. Dance you must, and dance you will” – Washington PostBetween her collaborative work with Levin & Yerba Buena, participation on the fundraising albums Red Hot + Latin and Red Hot + Riot, and now a string of recent guest appearances as a solo artist, CuCu Diamantes has worked closely with artists such as Fatboy Slim, Orishas, D’Angello, Carlinhos Brown, MeShell NdegeOcello, Les Nubians, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Beto Cuevas, Dead Prez, Diego El Cigala, and many more.
Most recently, Diamantes has made special appearances on Voltio’s “Cristina”, with Los tucanes de Tijuana on the film soundtrack for “Ladron que roba Ladron,” collaborated with Vico C and Praz on “Pa la Calle” for the “Feel the Noise” film/soundtrack and had a song included on the soundtrack album for NBC’s hit show “Heroes” – joining a track listing that included David Bowie, The Chemical Brothers, Bob Dylan, Iggy Pop and more.
Diamantes’ simultaneous ability as an actress has also found her in front of the camera for cameo appearances in the films “El Cantante” and “Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights”, as well as the TV series “Third Watch” and a recent MTV Latin America short-film tribute to The Cure.
CuCu Diamantes’ artistry will now take its next natural step in sharing her evolving sound of downtown New York Latin fusion with the all-ready underway recording of her full solo debut album – planned for release in fall 2008.
