Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club say 'Adios' at Longwood Gardens

The Buena Vista Social Club album, which came out in 1997, may not have had a direct impact on this summer's changes in the political relationship between Cuba and the United States. But it certainly didn't hurt.

The Grammy-winning album exposed the world to classics from the fertile music scene of pre-Castro Cuba and became one of the bestselling "world music" releases of all time. The subsequent Wim Wenders film of the same name assisted in making international stars of Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, Omara Portuondo, and others. Havana's tourist industry benefited from the attention.

"Musically speaking, our music was a way to show our tradition and sounds to all over the world," says Barbarito Torres, who played the laud, a 12-string lute, on the Buena Vista Social Club. "What is particular in the Island is the respect to the Cuban classics. The music is our culture, and we are very respectful to that."

Torres is one of five original members, including the peerless Portuondo, who are part of the Orquesta Buena Vista Social Club, the 15-member troupe that is set to appear Sunday at a sold-out show at Longwood Gardens. It will be the last night of the penultimate leg of the yearlong Adiós Tour, coinciding with the release of Lost and Found, a collection of live recordings and outtakes from the original Buena Vista sessions.

"The Adiós Tour is like a celebration instead of a goodbye, [a] celebration of music and friendship," says Torres via email with the help of a translator. Torres, at age 59, is the youngest of the original members: Portuondo and trumpeter Guajiro Mirabal are both in their 80s; guitarist and singer Eliades Ochoa and trombone player (and bandleader) Jesus "Aguaje" Ramos are in their 60s.

The Orquesta is multigenerational: Mirabel's grandson plays trumpet, too, and the celebrated young pianist Rolando Luna takes the seat of the late Rubén González. "They bring a lot of energy to the band," Torres says, "and they respect the original sound of the songs we play."

While the 1997 album celebrated Cuban music from a half-century prior, the current band has its own tradition to commemorate. Songs such as "Chan Chan" and "Dos Gardenias" have become part of the fabric of many listeners' lives, and the show pays homage to González, Segundo, Ferrer, and other deceased members of the original project. "They were great musicians," Torres says, "but above all great human beings."

Much of the Buena Vista Social Club music is full of high-energy polyrhythms. Torres, who has been known to play the laud behind his back, can be the center of them. He says the tours are rejuvenating. "For sure it keeps us on shape. Imagine doing what you love most for so many years. Well, that's what happened to us. The tours are like recharging energies. The only bad thing is being far from the family. But I love touring and sharing [the] stage with my friends from Buena Vista."

The Adiós Tour will end with a gala performance in Havana. Many of the band members will then continue with other projects - Torres plays in the Afro-Cuban All-Stars and has released a solo album - but they are retiring the Buena Vista brand. The social club, however, will continue.

"This is a goodbye for the group and project," Torres says, "but not for our friendship."

Information: 610-388-1000 or www.longwoodgardens.org.