Havana, Cuba.– Cuban group Buena Fe won the Grand Prix in 2017 Cubadisco for their album Sobreviviente (Survivor), as part of a contest recognizing the best of national discography.

From Astral Theatre in Havana, Israel Rojas, leader of the band, thanked the award and dedicated it to guitarist Dayron Rodriguez, who died on the eve due to a heart attack.

It is a great joy for us to receive this award; however, it has been a very long and sad day. We dedicate it to Dayron, of course, Rojas said.
Sobreviviente was also a winner in fusion and sound making categories; the latter was in charge of Adolfo Martinez. The renowned singer-songwriter Pablo Milanes won the Extraordinary Award of the contest, dedicated in this edition to the new Cuban Trova and composer Sindo Garay.

In 2017 Cubadisco contest, pianist Frank Fernandez received the award to artistic excellence for his CD Alma con Alma (Soul with Soul).The Septeto Habanero triumphed in the Roots category with its phonogram Escuela de soneros (Soneros School), and William Borrego in traditional folk music, with Acerca el oído (Bring your Ear Closer).¨

Drummer and composer Yissi Garcia won the prize in Opera Prima for Última Noticia (Last News); the Real Project triumphed in the Jazz Ensembles section, while Emilio Martini got the award in Instrumental with Notas al viento (Notes to the Wind) and Beatriz Marquez in Song category, with Mis duetos (My Duets).

Bobby Carcasses received a recognition as a jazz soloist for his CD Blues con montuno (Blues with Montuno), and Liuba Maria Hevia in Music for children category with Liuba canta a Maria Elena Walsh (Liuba Sings Maria Elena Walsh).

The jury conferred special prizes to Enrique Pla, Vicente Feliu, Pancho Amat, and the children’s Theatre company La Colmenita, among others.