The founder and leader of Cuba's Los Van Van band Juan Formell has died at the age of 71.
The acclaimed bassist, composer, and arranger passed away in Havana, Cuba on Thursday (01May14).
The news of his death was announced on Cuban state television, and a presenter said he died "suddenly" but did not detail the cause of death.
Formell's groundbreaking career spanned more than four decades. He formed Los Van Van in 1969 and they went on to becoming one of the most influential tropical dance bands in Cuba.
Formell was praised for his take on the evolution of the Cuban lifestyle over the years, with his music "likened to Havana's newspaper for lyrics", according to Billboard.com.
In 1999, he won a Grammy Award for Latin/Best Salsa Performance for his work on the album Llego Van Van (Van Van Is Here), and last year (13), he was honoured with a Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement award.
On the same day that Glastonbury welcomed back Margate's adopted sons, The Libertines, Margate itself put on it's very own Leisure Festival as it...
Sheffield's very own all girl group Pretty Fierce are still on a high after the recent release of their debut single - 'Ready For Me'.
Three nights before the end of his current tour Will Varley returned to his home town of Deal to delight a sold out crowd in The Astor Theatre.
With only a few days to go before Portsmouth based songstress and producer WYSE releases her new single, 'Belladonna', we caught up with her to find...
Colorado raised, Glasgow educated and Manchester based Bay Bryan is nothing if not a multi-talented, multi-faceted artist performing as both...
Former Marigolds band member Keelan Cunningham has rediscovered his love of music with his new solo project Keelan X.
Wiltshire singer-songwriter Luke De Sciscio, formally known as Folk Boy, is set to release is latest album - 'The Banquet' via AntiFragile Music on...
Electronic music pioneer and producer Annie Elise says that the release of her first EP - 'Breathe In, Breathe Out' feels "both vulnerable and...