Joel Hierrezuelo : a cuban artist in Paris
Born in 1972 in Havana, Joel Hierrezuelo Balart has carved a unique musical path from the streets of Cuba to the prestigious stages of Paris. Coming from a family of renowned musicians, Joël was introduced to percussion at a young age and quickly demonstrated early talent. After earning a degree in musical education from the Higher Institute of Havana in 1995, he began making a name for himself in France as a singer and percussionist.
Joel has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Roberto Fonseca, Alfredo Rodriguez, Anga Diaz, Tata Güines, and Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito” and shared the stage with legends like Celia Cruz and José Alberto "El Canario". His recordings include significant works like "La Charanga" and "Latinoriental". In 2002, he formed the group Mambi, whose album "AL MACHETE" received critical acclaim.
In 2006, Joël joined Roberto Fonseca's ensemble, participating in numerous international festivals and recording notable albums like "Akokan" and "YO," which was nominated for Grammy Awards. His collaborations include artists such as Omara Portuondo, Gilles Peterson and Havana Cultura, Fatoumata Diawara, and Mayra Andrade. In 2017, he joined Amadou & Mariam, and in 2018, he released "Zapateo Suite".
His recent projects include the album "Así de simple" (2020) and its live recording "Así de simple live" (2021). In 2022, he released "Cimarrón," a tribute to his Afro-Cuban heritage. In 2023 and 2024, Joël continues to collaborate and innovate, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to music.
From Havana to Paris, Joël Hierrezuelo embodies the spirit of Cuban jazz, blending tradition and modernity to touch souls around the world.
Born in 1972 in Havana, Joel Hierrezuelo Balart has carved a unique musical path from the streets of Cuba to the prestigious stages of Paris. Coming from a family of renowned musicians, Joël was introduced to percussion at a young age and quickly demonstrated early talent. After earning a degree in musical education from the Higher Institute of Havana in 1995, he began making a name for himself in France as a singer and percussionist.
Joel has collaborated with distinguished artists such as Roberto Fonseca, Alfredo Rodriguez, Anga Diaz, Tata Güines, and Jose Luis Quintana “Changuito” and shared the stage with legends like Celia Cruz and José Alberto "El Canario". His recordings include significant works like "La Charanga" and "Latinoriental". In 2002, he formed the group Mambi, whose album "AL MACHETE" received critical acclaim.
In 2006, Joël joined Roberto Fonseca's ensemble, participating in numerous international festivals and recording notable albums like "Akokan" and "YO," which was nominated for Grammy Awards. His collaborations include artists such as Omara Portuondo, Gilles Peterson and Havana Cultura, Fatoumata Diawara, and Mayra Andrade. In 2017, he joined Amadou & Mariam, and in 2018, he released "Zapateo Suite".
His recent projects include the album "Así de simple" (2020) and its live recording "Así de simple live" (2021). In 2022, he released "Cimarrón," a tribute to his Afro-Cuban heritage. In 2023 and 2024, Joël continues to collaborate and innovate, demonstrating his versatility and dedication to music.
From Havana to Paris, Joël Hierrezuelo embodies the spirit of Cuban jazz, blending tradition and modernity to touch souls around the world.
NEWS
Joel Hierrezuelo the new album release
"CIMARRÓN"
"CIMARRÓN"
Two great shows at Sunset-Sunside Paris, very good audiences for the release of the album "Cimarron"
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The new album by the Cuban guitarist, percussionist and singer claims stronger than ever the interbreeding between cultures" It is a tribute to his Afro-Cuban and Caribbean origins. Endowed with a multicultural background, Joel Hierrezuelo claims a musical spectrum without borders to present "Cimarrón". “Wherever it comes from, art feeds our soul and our spirit and music is vital to us”; says Joel. Undoubtedly a spiritual crossing, thoughtful and cadenced by rhythms from elsewhere, jazz and poetry
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![]() Angélique Kidjo invites Yemi Alade & Joel Hierrezuelo
Jazz à Vienne |
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Great moment at 360 Music Factory Paris photos by Fred Boutleux
A superb evening at the Studio de l'Ermitage to celebrate the new album "Así de simple". Video by InitialBP, photo by David Figueredo
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Jazz News Magazine:
"Poésie à la cubaine... Un jeux qui privilégie la single-note doublé d'un chant planant célébrant la Caraïbe, le Blues et l'Afrique "Así de simple" est donc l'un de ces disques qui vous prennent par la main. Ce disque est d'une élégance suprême... (David Koperhant)
Son du Monde:
"le guitariste impose un style tout en élégance et sans affèterie, le percussionniste soutient la pâte sonore dans un schéma tout en retenue, et le vocaliste fait des merveilles dans un registre sensuel et impressionniste"... (Cristian LARRÈDE)
Latins de Jazz:
"Il dessine les contours d'un univers élaboré et très personnel. Entre mélopées envoutantes et chant spirituel mélancolique. Le projet embarque l'oreille dans des suites musicales colorées"...( Nicole VIDEMANN)
Journal la Terrasse:
"Loin des stéréotypes et de tout revivalisme, Joel Hierrezuelo ne cherche pas à incarner l’idée que l’on peut se faire en France de la musique cubaine. Il préfère, avec un certain courage, envisager sa musique comme le lieu de rencontre de ses expériences. On y groove, on y chante, on y jazze"... (Vincent BESSIÈRES)
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THE GREATS MOMENTS FROM 2019
" Zapateo Suite " at the Studio de L'Ermitage, Paris
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France Bleu , ARRIVÉE D'AIR CHAUD avec Patrice Antona
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Born in Havana in 1972, Joel Hierrezuelo Balart grew up sharing the musical world of his family, Lorenzo, Caridad and Reynaldo Hierrezuelo was they greats uncles but it is specially his father showing him the way of Percussions, At a very young age, when he began guitar studies at the Academy of Music. At 12 he started singing and playing percussions in amateur bands...
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CURRENTLY ON TOUR WITH AMADOU & MARIAM. PREVIOUS TOURS AND COLLABORATIONS: ALFREDO RODRIGUEZ Y LOS ASEREKÓS-OMARA PORTUONDO-ROBERTO FONSECA-ANGA DIAS-FATUMATA DIAWARA-MAYRA ANDRADE-MANU KATCHÉ-YONATHAN AVISHAI-SALOME DE BAHIA - BOB SYNCLAIR-MUNIR HOSSN-VERONIQUE HERMAN SAMBIN-GILLES PETERSON & HAVANA CULTURA-ERIK ORSENNA-AFRICANDO-TATA GUÎNES-JOSE LUIS QUINTANA(CHANGUITO)-MAMBI-FELIPE CABRERA-ALEX TERRIER-YURI BUENAVENTURA-DIEGO PELAEZ-RAUL PAZ- MOKHTAR SAMBA- LINE KRUSE-ROBERTO TORRES-TITO ALEN- PARIS SALSA ALL STARS-CUBAILA-HAMIDOU-ORLANDO POLEO-JOSE MANGUAL JUNIOR-JIMMY SABATER- ERNESTO TITO PUENTES-CAMILO AZUQUITA-FRAPADINGOS-ROBERTO PLAT ORQUESTA-DJ DINASTY.
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Photo by Fred Boutleux. Graphic design by Webmyart
Photo by Fred Boutleux. Graphic design by Webmyart