Los Van Van Cancels for SummerStage; José Conde Opens for Pupy y Los Que Son Son

Last week Los Van Van canceled their appearance at Central Park SummerStage. But that won't stop Miami-born, NYC-based singer José Condé from building a musical bridge between Cuba and the U.S. when he plays SummerStage on June 6 . As a former member of the internationally acclaimed Los Van Van, Cuban pianist, composer, arranger and bandleader César Pedroso will play the stage as well. Now, touring under his nickname 'Pupy,' Pedroso has set about taking the planet by storm. Along with his group, Los Que Son Son, Pedroso is a trailblazing representative of the relatively young style of Timba music. Pupy y Los Que Son Son's SummerStage appearance marks a major highlight of their first US tour.

In conjunction with the June 6 concert, Condé is releasing a special recording of his song "Puente a Mi Gente," an anthem imagining a transcendent musical bridge spanning the divide not only between Havana and Miami, but between people of all backgrounds. "Something everyone can dance on," says Condé. "My music now is less Cuban on the surface, but at its heart and in its humor it is very much so," Condé smiles. "Artistically, I feel I have given my music the perspective that only I could give it, with touches of soul and funk and American pop, blended with world and Latin rhythms."