Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristobal Verdecia.
Hi Cristobal, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My Story
I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba, in a family where music was always part of everyday life. My maternal grandmother played the Cuban tres, so music was deeply rooted in my family. However, the person who truly shaped my life was my uncle, Israel “Kantor” Sardiñas, one of Cuba’s most respected singers. From the time I was a child, he encouraged me to study music and taught me the importance of dedication and preparation.
Years later, my uncle left Cuba while on tour and eventually settled in the United States. Among the belongings he left behind were an electric bass, a guitar, and an extensive collection of music books. Without realizing it, those instruments changed the course of my life. I began teaching myself, spending countless hours playing, studying, and learning from those books. Little by little, I fell in love with the bass, the guitar, and, most importantly, with music itself.
As my grandmother saw my growing passion for music, she became one of my biggest supporters, constantly encouraging me to keep going. Sadly, she passed away not long afterward, and I made her a promise that one day I would become a professional musician.
That passion led me to study at the Guillermo Tomás Conservatory of Music, where I began my formal education as a bass guitarist. I later continued my studies at the Ignacio Cervantes School of Professional Music, where I had the privilege of learning from renowned musicians such as Silvio Vergara and Carlos del Puerto.
I began my professional career performing with several bands across Cuba before earning the opportunity to join some of the country’s most respected musical groups. Throughout those years I performed genres including Cuban son, salsa, timba, jazz, and Latin jazz. Among the most significant groups in my career were Pachito Alonso y Sus Kini Kini, Paulo FG y Su Élite, Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son, and later Havana D’Primera, where I was a founding member. Each of these experiences played a key role in my artistic development and allowed me to participate in numerous recordings, international tours, and festivals around the world.
In 2012, I officially moved to Miami to continue building my musical career. Starting over in a new country was both a challenge and an opportunity. Little by little, I established myself within Miami’s music scene, collaborating with a wide variety of artists and musical projects.
One of my first major opportunities was working with Grammy Award-winning percussionist, producer, and composer Tony Succar, performing both his salsa and jazz repertoire. Later, I joined singer Aymée Nuviola, eventually serving as her musical director. Alongside Aymée, I participated in several recording projects and had the privilege of being part of the team that received a Grammy Award, one of the greatest milestones of my career.
I also had the opportunity to work with the legendary Colombian group Grupo Niche, performing concerts and touring with the band, an experience that further enriched my musical journey.
Later, I became part of “Viento y Tiempo,” the acclaimed project featuring Aymée Nuviola and world-renowned pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The project received a Grammy nomination, and we performed at some of the world’s most prestigious jazz festivals and concert halls. We also recorded a live album at the legendary Blue Note Tokyo in Japan, one of the most iconic jazz clubs in the world.
I was also honored to serve as musical director for Buena Vista All Stars, another unforgettable chapter in my career that allowed me to continue sharing the richness of Cuban music with audiences around the world.
At the same time, I built my own recording facility, Verdecia Studios, where I record electric bass, baby bass, and upright bass for artists and producers from around the world. The studio has also allowed me to continue growing as a producer, arranger, and session musician while collaborating on a wide variety of musical projects from Miami.
Throughout all of these experiences, I never lost sight of a dream that had been growing inside me for many years. Everything I learned, every stage I performed on, and every artist I had the privilege of working with inspired me to create a project that truly reflected my own vision of Cuban music.
That vision became Son Qba.
My goal was never simply to start another band. I wanted to create an ensemble that represents the elegance, authenticity, and richness of Cuban music while honoring our traditions and presenting them in a way that connects with today’s audiences. Whether performing at an international festival, a theater, or any other stage, our commitment has always been musical excellence.
Since its creation, Son Qba has performed at major festivals, luxury hotels, corporate events, and private celebrations. We are currently recording our debut album, an exciting new chapter that reflects everything we’ve built together over the years.
Most recently, Son Qba was honored to be selected as one of the official entertainment groups for the FIFA World Cup 2026 events in Miami, a recognition that fills us with pride and motivates us to continue bringing Cuban music to audiences around the world.
Today, I still walk onto every stage with the same excitement I felt when I first discovered that bass among my uncle’s instruments and music books. Looking back, I feel deeply grateful for every opportunity music has given me. My greatest satisfaction is sharing the beauty of Cuban music with people everywhere and helping preserve our musical traditions for future generations.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely hasn’t been an easy journey. Like many musicians, I’ve experienced moments of uncertainty and faced many challenges along the way. The hardest of all was making the decision to leave Cuba and start a new life in the United States. Professionally, it meant pursuing my dreams, but personally, it meant leaving behind my mother, the most important person in my life. Without a doubt, that has been the greatest sacrifice I’ve ever made.
When I arrived in Miami, I had to start almost from scratch. Even though I had already built a successful career in Cuba, no one here was expected to know who I was. I had to earn the trust of musicians, artists, and producers all over again, proving myself through every performance and every recording session.
Another major challenge has been balancing my work as a session musician, musical director, and producer while building my own project, Son Qba. Creating a band from the ground up takes much more than making great music. It requires building the right team, investing time and resources, maintaining a high artistic standard, and learning the business side of the industry.
Over the years, I’ve learned that success never happens overnight. Behind every opportunity are years of preparation, discipline, sacrifice, and countless hours of hard work that most people never see. Every challenge has taught me valuable lessons and has made me appreciate every performance, every recording session, and every person who has believed in my work.
My mother passed away in 2021, and to this day I still miss her deeply. There are moments when her absence feels overwhelming, and I still think of her with tears in my eyes. Everything I am today, both as a person and as a musician, is deeply rooted in the love, values, and encouragement she gave me throughout my life. Every time I step onto a stage, I feel that a part of her is there with me.
Looking back, I realize that every challenge has helped shape both the person and the musician I am today. If there’s one lesson I’ve learned throughout this journey, it’s that perseverance, humility, and a genuine love for music will always open new doors.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What I enjoy most about my work is being able to dedicate my life to music. I’ve had the privilege of working with outstanding artists, contributing to Grammy-winning and Grammy-nominated projects, and performing on stages around the world. However, at this point in my career, my greatest passion is Son Qba.
Son Qba represents everything I’ve learned throughout my musical journey. It’s a project born from the heart, created to preserve the essence of traditional Cuban music while presenting it with elegance, authenticity, and the highest artistic standards for today’s audiences.
As the band’s director, I enjoy every part of the creative process—from selecting the repertoire and developing arrangements to working with the musicians and shaping the group’s unique sound. My goal has always been to create an experience that moves people while proudly representing the richness of Cuban culture.
Of everything I’ve accomplished, what I’m most proud of isn’t the awards or the stages I’ve performed on. It’s having built a career based on respect, dedication, and a genuine love for music. I believe that’s why so many artists have trusted me over the years and why I’m now able to lead a project like Son Qba.
What sets me apart is that I’ve never seen music as just a job. For me, it’s a way of expressing who I am and keeping the roots of Cuban music alive. Every performance is an opportunity to share a piece of Cuba with the world.
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What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is my family. Over the years, I’ve learned that time is the most valuable gift we have, and no professional achievement means much if you can’t share it with the people you love.
Music also holds a very special place in my life because it’s much more than my profession—it’s how I express myself, honor my roots, and help keep Cuban culture alive. Every time I step onto a stage, I feel a deep responsibility to represent the music I grew up with in the best possible way.
I also value my health. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that taking care of yourself is essential if you want to enjoy your family, your music, and life itself.
Today, one of my greatest goals is to leave a meaningful legacy. I hope future generations will discover and fall in love with Cuban music the way I did. If someone hears Son Qba and feels inspired to learn more about our musical roots, I’ll feel that I’ve accomplished something far greater than simply performing music.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sonqba.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/son_qba
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584215865786
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sonqba
