It was sublime. Then they played a surprise gig at a club for 200 people for a couple of hours. Sonia, Morria and their group from Montreal danced with the band on some selected songs. They are the couple who organize the (linear) salsa congress in Montreal. I really hope this opens the doors for beginning to incorporate cuban style workshops at the congresses. So far there has just been Afro-cuban styling to incorporate into your linear salsa. The US is doing it and it about time now for Canada .
I have to say how great it was and what an honor to have two Cuban bands play at the closing of the greatest jazz festival in the world. It was packed beyond worlds. The world appreciates what we here on cubaintoronto.com already know !

The other admin here … Of course coming from Toronto I always compare Toronto events to the Mtl festivals. I always wonder, how come the techs in Montreal can get the next band playing and sounding great in 5 minutes. In Toronto, there’s advertised 30 minutes setup between bands, usually stretches to 45 min or an hour and the band starts late and plays a short set. And even then it turns out the first solo for each instrument, the mike is off …. How hard can it be guys …

Stayed an extra day, enjoyed parts of the city I haven’t walked around before. And finally realized a decades-old dream… a visit to St. Viateur bagel. It was worth the trip… http://www.stviateurbagel.com/main/