2002 Havana House Concert: Jiovanni Cofiño & Yanel Yanes

5/18/2018
by Jon Griffin

Intimate house concert recorded in 2002 by Jon Griffin at a private residence in Buena Vista, Havana, featuring two exceptional young Cuban musicians who would go on to distinguished careers: bassist Jiovanni Cofiño and percussionist Yanel Yanes. Both musicians now reside in the United States, making this archival footage a valuable document of their early artistry in Cuba.

This informal session showcases the versatility and skill of these talented performers as they navigate classic Cuban styles including son ("La Negra Tomasa"), bolero, descarga (jam session), and cha-cha-chá. The intimate setting captures the authentic spirit of Cuban music-making, where technical mastery meets spontaneous creativity.

Jiovanni Cofiño went on to become a sought-after session bassist in Havana, performing with groups like Elito Revé, while Yanel Yanes established himself as a skilled percussionist. This rare recording preserves a moment in Cuban music history before these musicians emigrated, offering a glimpse into Havana's vibrant musical culture of the early 2000s.

Setlist:

  • La Negra Tomasa (28:02)
  • Bolero (2:51)
  • Descarga (4:09)
  • Cha-cha-chá (6:50)

Revision History

Initial Revision