Alex Cuba is a multiple Latin Grammy/Grammy/Juno winning singer, songwriter, producer and musician, born Alexis Puentes in Artemisa, Cuba. His first musical memory was playing claves (a Cuban rhythm instrument) at the age of 4 alongside his father on national TV, and went on to study guitar, then electric and upright bass, touring and recording nationally and internationally. His sound is the unique confluence of tradition and global influences and his career is a coherent development of an immaculate creative. His 2022 Grammy Win for Best Latin Pop for “Mendó” as producer, artist and engineer pays tribute to Alex Cuba’s voice like melted chocolate and cosmopolitan song writing that engage the listener on a deep level.
In 1999, Alex moved to Victoria, Canada, where he recorded an album, “Morumba Cubana”, alongside his twin brother Adonis, as The Puentes Brothers. Alex went on to record his solo debut album “Humo De Tobaco” which earned him a Juno award for World Music Album of the Year in 2006. Followed by “Agua Del Pozo”, in 2007 which also earned him another Juno award for World Music Album of the Year in 2008. From there, Alex released his third album, a self-titled project Alex Cuba in 2009 taking home the award for Best New Artist at the 2010 Latin Grammy Awards, where it was also nominated for Best Male Pop Vocal Album and followed by a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album in 2011, the year he took home a BMI Latin Award for his song-writing on Nelly Furtado’s #1 Spanish hit “Manos Al Aire”. In 2012, Alex released Ruido En El Sistema, receiving his second Socan Hagood Hardy Award for outstanding achievement in Jazz and World Music. He also won his second Latin Grammy Award – this time as a songwriter, alongside co-writer Yoel Henriquez received the award for Best Tropical Song for the Milly Quezada’s single, “Toma Mi Vida”feat. Juan Luis Guerra. In 2013, he again brought home a Latin Grammy for the video “Eres Tu” from “Ruido En El Sistema”, a video produced entirely in his hometown of Smithers.
Alex Cuba’s 5th studio album, Healer, which traded in horns for guitars and vocal harmonies. With five duets with singer songwriters, four being Canadian, Ron Sexsmith, David Myles, Alejandra Ribera and Kuba Oms as well as New Yorker, Anya Marina. The album won a Latin Grammy for best Singer-songwriter and nominated for a Grammy as best Latin Pop in 2016.
In 2017, Alex completed his 6th album “Lo Unico Constante”, delving deeper into Alex’s song-writing roots, focusing on nylon string guitar and upright bass. Looking at the “filin” movement in Cuba of the forties that fused jazz and trova, music that has influenced his writing style to this day. The album was nominated for both a Latin Grammy for Best Singer-Songwriter and Grammy for Best Latin Pop.
In 2019 Alex Cuba embarked on a completely self-produced/arranged collection of songs featuring 5 collaborations, this time with Latin American singer songwriters, and expressing a genre he refers to as Latin-Americana recorded in Gibsons BC with John “Beetle” Bailey and mixed at John’s Drive Shed studio in Ontario. The album received a Latin Grammy Nomination and the performance at the televised Award Show in Miami November 2020.
By 2021, Alex was recording at home and adding recording engineer to his credits as musician, singer-songwriter, producer. The second album boasts Alex recording all instruments and inviting collaborations to the songs, from the healing voice of Grammy Award winning Lila Downs on “Mundo Nuevo”, to his colourful collaboration with world-renowned flamenco artist, Antonio Carmona, and commissioning a 13-piece horn band from his native country of Cuba, Alex’s vibrant eighth studio album, “Mendó”, took home the 2022 Grammy for best Latin Pop Album! It was Alex Cuba’s 4th nomination and first win, a tremendous accomplishment for an independent artist and his most proud moment for an album made in his living room during the year no one could travel.
In 2023, Alex had a rush of creation in producing and releasing a young Flamenco singer-songwriter, Aaron Miguel’s Sé and putting out his own “El Swing Que Yo Tengo” in May. He started performing in the US again and recorded NPR’s Tiny Desk concert, looking to the next projects including a mini-documentary and album, “Voces De Mi Familia” celebrating the musical roots of his family, and of course new music and songs recorded in his studio.
His musical evolution for years was all about searching for the simplicity and soul in Cuban music – taking apart the complex arrangements, mixing it with North American influences, adopting the melodic simplicity of pop music, looking to Cuban folk traditions for inspiration – he’s always exploring, always creating something fresh and new, and always, it seems, getting it just right.
“I always believed, from the beginning of my career in Canada, that if music is beautiful, it will cross the language. Because we are all humans.” Alex Cuba
*As of July 1, 2024, we will be adding a $10 minimum food charge at the venue as we are a food-primary establishment*
Founded in 2001, we've developed a reputation, among artists and audiences alike, as a premium live entertainment venue across Canada and further afield.
Our room is a listening room, which is a rare gem to find. There is no greater gift to give performers than to simply listen. They bring with them years of dedication and we get to enjoy and absorb their creativity. As an audience member, the experience is without parallel, providing an incredibly intimate and unique opportunity to see top talent from Canada, and around the world.
A wide range of musical styles can be seen on the Dream stage. Though they differ in genre, they are united in their skills. Expect to see Jazz, blues, indie, R&B, folk, punk, spoken word, reggae, rock, country, comedy, and more.
Chef Matt, who joined the Dream in 2023, offers an ethnic influence on his delectable, fresh and nutritious menu.
A night at the Dream Café includes a warm welcome, great food and an outstanding music experience. Our regulars know that no matter who is gracing the stage that night - the calibre of music and entertainment will be excellent. Thank you for supporting live music, the arts and The Dream Cafê
There's no need to print your tickets, we will greet you at the door with our guest list for the show.
Doors open 6pm (unless otherwise stated). Show starts at 8pm. Kitchen is open from 6-9pm.
The Dream Café
Reservations: reservations@thedreamcafe.ca
Manager: manager@thedreamcafe.ca
Phone: 250-490-9012
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