By nature of being generally older Cuban-born musicians, both Omara Portuondo and Eliades Ochoa are often grouped as ambassadors of the classic Cubano sound most popularly kept aflame by Buena Vista Social Club. What might separate the two is sheer duration. Many Buena Vista members had to come out of retirement to perform again, and, as a result, their style often represented a time capsule of a once forgotten era. Yet both Portuondo and Ochoa have been performing steadily since the outbreak of WWII, resulting in a wonderfully wide-reaching body of work adopting more steadily to different eras of the Cuban sound. Portuondo has lent her works to jazz, son cubano, and, most famously, boleros, as captured on her best-known song “Donde Estabas Tu?” Ochoa’s guitar work and rich baritone have best served to spread the son cubano sound worldwide. Together, there are perhaps no better tour guides to showcase the sound of Cuba past and present. $34.50-$150, 8pm Sat, Aug. 20, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, 100 Auditorium Circle, (210) 223-8624, tobincenter.org.
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