Descemer Bueno is a composer, double bassist, percussionist and music producer. One of the most important and popular Cuban musicians of the moment. Exponent of an urban sound with a strong contemporary vibration, a musician called to be history.
He studied classical guitar at the Manuel Saumell and Amadeo Roldán conservatories, which also provided him with the credentials to teach music. He did his first professional concerts playing with Santiago Feliú, one of the best troubadours in Cuba. In this band he composed his first songs and discovered that he also had a gift for writing lyrics.
In the 90s he led Estado de Ánimo, a jazz combo group with Roberto Carcassés, X Alfonso and Elmer Ferrer; and performed concerts in Spain, Bolivia, Uruguay, Germany and Argentina. He then joined Columna B with Yosvany Terry, Dafnis Prieto, Miguel (Anga) Díaz, and Roberto Carcassés, recording the album Columna B with Mas y Mas Records. Then came a period of touring the North American cities of San Fransisco, Los Angeles and New York. He was also a member of the Fula Group, based in the Spanish city of Barcelona.
In 1999 he co-founded the now legendary Latin hip-hop group Yerba Buena, along with producer Andrés Levin, Xiomara Laugart and Cucu Diamante. Descemer produced and composed most of the songs on President Alien, Yerba Buena's debut album and release, which earned him a Grammy nomination in 2005.
Later he created his band Siete Rayo and recorded his first album Descemer Sieterayo with Universal Latin, in which he mixed Cuban rhythms such as chachachá, timba and changüí, “with sound touches from the Caribbean such as reggae, calypso or reggaeton, together with a certain dose of rap and even a little Colombian cumbia”; Guitarist George Pajon of the Black Eyed Peas collaborated on this album.
Since 2012, a series of concerts began for the premiere of his album Bueno, alluding to his last name and honoring the quality of his music, produced by Maykel Bárzaga and Omar Hernández. The album is conceived based on duets: Haila, Alain Daniel, Kelvis Ochoa, Baby Lores, X Alfonso, the duo Buena Fe, Gema Corredera, Omar Hernández (Omi).
But Descemer is multifaceted, “a true monument to versatility.” His musical talent has led him to venture as a producer, arranger or composer. He has collaborated—in some of these facets—on albums such as Trampa del tiempo, by Pavel and Gema (Spain, 1995); Nauseas of a century and Immediate future, by Santiago Feliú (Cuba, 1997); Jazz timbero, by Bobby Carcassés (Cuba, 1998); Mambo&Co by Francis del Río (Cuba, 1999); Haydée by Haydée Milanés (Cuba, 2004); Breathe de Yusa (Cuba, 2006); Falage e Canibal de Lennine (Brazil, 2006). In 2007, together with Kelvis Ochoa, he released the album Amor y Música under the Egrem label, Art Bembé (Spain) and La Isla Milagrosa by William Vivanco (Cuba, 2007); The following year, in 2008, the album Sé Happy, a phonogram of boleros composed by him and performed by the well-known bolerista Fernando Álvarez, was released under the same label. Also, Bitter but sweet by Diana Fuentes (Cuba, 2009).
He participated as a teacher in the Music Workshops at Stanford University, California and the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Together with Kelvis Ochoa and other musicians, he was part of the humanitarian concert that was held in the Dominican Republic on the occasion of the earthquake in Haiti.
He has shared the stage with internationally renowned musicians, such as saxophonist Steve Coleman. He participated in a jam session with Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Wynton Marsalis.
His songs appear in American films and Pepsi advertisements. He participated in the soundtracks of films such as: Dirty Dancing Habana Nights; Cheaper by the Dozen; Honey; and Chasing Papi. Musical Director of films: Violeta (1998, Mexico), Corazón del Tiempo (2007, Mexico), Habana Eva (Venezuela-Cuba, USA, 2009), Siete Días en La Habana (Morena Films, France-Spain, 2011 ).
He made the soundtracks for the television series E.R., The O.C, ESPN, Daisy Cooks (PBS NY); and the soap operas When I Fall in Love (Televisa 2011-12) and La que no puede amar (Televisa 2012).
He has composed songs for Enrique Iglesias, Juan Luis Guerra, Andrés Levine, Ana Torroja, Thalia, Baby Lores, Reyli Barba, Fonseca, Samo (Camila), Cabas, Ana Bárbara, Tobi Love, Nohelia and Luz Casall.
The video clips of his compositions are in high demand in Cuba, such as Quisiera Volver and Tus Luces sobre Mí, by Alejandro Perez; Ser de sol, along with the duo Buena Fe, by Ian Padrón, etc.
The great acceptance of the Bueno album has led it to have many presentations in Cuban cities, such as Santa Clara, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Mayabeque and, of course, Havana.
He is currently recording the song “Libélula” with Omara Portuondo. His plans for 2013 are to spend a lot of time in the studio to work on the production of interesting albums, such as that of Omi and Luna Manzanares.
And he continues composing for Enrique Iglesias, Luis Enrique, and soon a song will be released with the Cumbia Kings.
Awards
2005 - Best Latin Artist of the Best of Miami 2005 publication in Miami New Times.
2006 - Goya Award as co-author of the soundtrack of the film Habana Blues (2006) by director Benito Zambrano.
2009 - ASCAP for “Lloro por ti” defended by Enrique Iglesias
2010 - ASCAP for “I cry for you” defended by Enrique Iglesias
2011 – Latin Grammy for Best Song of the Year and ASCAP for “When I Fall in Love” defended by Enrique Iglesias and Juan Luis Guerra
2011 - TV and Novelas Award for Best Song of the Year for “When I Fall in Love”
2012 – ASCAP for “Don't tell me no” defended by Winsin and Yandel
