Buena Vista Social Club: The Musical

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with an unforgettable journey through the music, culture, and history of Cuba. In 1950s Havana, a group of gifted musicians helped define the rich sound of Son cubano, blending Spanish and African musical traditions into a style that captivated audiences around the world. Their careers were disrupted by the Cuban Revolution, but four decades later they reunited to record the music they thought had been lost to history—creating the landmark Buena Vista Social Club album, the best-selling world music recording of all time.

This engaging presentation explores pre-Revolution life in 1950s Cuba, the legendary Son cubano musicians featured in the acclaimed 1999 documentary film, and the story behind the Tony Award-winning 2025 Broadway musical. Through music, history, and culture, discover the enduring legacy of Buena Vista Social Club and its lasting influence on Latin music worldwide.

Presenter Rick Feingold programmed the Latin Jazz series at Penn State’s Performing Arts Center. He teaches history at Bergen Community College and has traveled extensively throughout Cuba. He holds an MBA from Penn State University and a B.A. in History from Rutgers University.

This program is made possible with the support of The Friends of the Livingston Public Library.