Cuban Guitarist Elmer Ferrer

Yes, Elmer Ferrer was born, raised, and lives in Cuba and no, he has never been a member of the Buena Vista Social Club. The 32-year-old guitarist cites Pat Metheny, Jimi Hendrix, John Scofield, Jeff Beck and Robben Ford among his influences and while jazz elements are evident in his playing, he believes his destiny is to be a blues guitarist. Cuba, a country whose entire population is less than that of Tokyo, has one of the finest music education programs in the world, the National School of Arts in Havana, to which Ferrer was accepted at the age of 16 to study classical guitar. A year after graduation, he joined the faculty of the National School's newly created Department of Electric Guitar. He has since appeared on more than 60 CDs, several movie soundtracks, and has toured in Europe, Latin America, South Africa and Tokyo. Ferrer is currently performing in Canada with the Elmer Ferrer Band, featuring Ottawa vocalist Anders Drerup. Story.