For your listening pleasure and consumption, we bring you Cortadito!

Cortadito [kawr-tuh-dee-toh ]

1. An espresso shot with milk. A short version of café con leche (coffee with milk).
2. Cuban folk-country band from Miami connecting the past and present to bring you the future of Cuban son.

Since its founding 10 years ago, Cortadito has become a torchbearer of a phenomenon that is two centuries’ strong. A traditional folk and acoustic band that focuses on performing son (pronounced “sown”), one of the earliest styles of Cuban country music, their sound can best be described as reminiscent of the famed Buena Vista Social Club.

With their many interpretations of traditional and original songs, this dynamic ensemble leads audiences through an audio experience referred to as “The Guajiro Triangle” by group co-founder and producer Jose Elias.

In November 2011 and after a 12-year stint with Conjunto Progreso that garnered him a Grammy nomination for the album Masters of Cuban Son, Elias started Cortadito alongside Julio Cesar Rodriguez Delet. The group’s sound instantly created a connection between Santiago de Cuba, Havana and Miami. In 2012, the duo released their first EP, Abriendo Caminos.

Since then, the group has expanded to include singer-guitarist Humberto Upierre, percussionist Andres Polanco Rivas, percussionist Santiago “El Pulpo” McCook, trumpet player Tony Perigo (Omara Portuondo), bass player Alberto Pantaleon (Afro-Cuban All Stars), and percussionist Antonio “Pacha” Portuondo (Pedrito Calvo).

In 2018, a second EP, Canciones de Julio, was released and highlighted the band’s songwriting skills with five original compositions. Included among them was “Casa de la Trova,” penned by Julio Rodriguez, father of co-founder Julio Cesar, and originally recorded by Eliades Ochoa (Buena Vista Social Club). That year, the ensemble backed Ochoa at the GroundUp Music Festival, which led to other U.S. shows in support of the Cuban music legend.

In June 2019, Cortadito was named Best Latin Act by Miami New Times in its “Best of Miami” issue. They also started producing a series of shows featuring special guests called Cortadito and Friends. Featured performers have included flutist Néstor Torres, percussionist Sammy Figueroa and violinist Federico Britos.

This year, the band will release new music as well as its first full-length album.

Live on the Plaza is a series of outdoor concerts on our Parker and Vann Thomson Plaza for the Arts.

Please note: Tables can be purchased for 1, 2, 3 or 4 guests. Ticket prices are per person. Locations are assigned in the order of purchase in parties of up to four guests based on reservation type.

Doors open at 6 p.m. with light bites and beverage service.
Happy hour pricing available until 7 p.m.
Performance starts at 7:30 p.m.