Pacho Chibas, the renowned Cuban pianist, composer, and music producer, has stood out despite his youth in the music scene due to his performances, creations, and unparalleled passion for art. Born in Havana, Cuba, in 1989, Pacho couldn’t help but fall in love with music from a very early age, even though he didn’t have musical influences in his family.
Growing up in the vibrant 90s in Cuba, a period when the Cuban timba movement was flourishing, Pacho immersed himself in a lively musical environment that would leave a profound mark on his style of performance and composition. Despite his academic training at the National School of Music, which was grounded in European classics, he displayed astonishing versatility by also learning jazz and embracing the full spectrum of Cuban popular music.
With an extensive track record at renowned festivals such as the Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival in Los Angeles, the North Sea Jazz Festival in Curacao, Artes de Cuba Festival in Washington DC, WOMAD in Santiago de Chile, Tempo Latino in Toulouse, PANAM in Toronto, The New Orleans Jazz Festival, among others, Pacho has secured a place on the global stage, shining as an exceptional pianist.
For nine years, Pacho was a prominent member of one of the most iconic bands in Cuban music, Formell y Los Van Van. His contribution to the production of two albums, “La Fantasia” in 2015 and “Legado” in 2018, both of which were nominated for American Grammys in the Tropical Album category, has left a lasting legacy for the band, which now boasts over 50 years of history and has captivated audiences in every corner of the world.
One of the most notable milestones in his career was the preparation of “Formell Sinfónico” for the 2021 Cervantino Festival in Guanajuato, Mexico. Pacho masterfully adapted Juan Formell’s hits into symphonic music, merging two grand orchestras, Los Van Van and La Orquesta Filarmónica del Desierto, creating an unparalleled musical experience for the audience.