Oscar Hijuelos's novels are full of passionate Cuban musicians playing their rhumbas and mambos and struggling to make a living. He culls many of his stories from the true histories of Cuban musicians who've left the troubled island and spread their music across the cities of the world. The band led by the late Chico O'Farrill is one such source of inspiration, and Hijuelos takes Dean to Birdland to hear the band, now led by Chico's son Arturo, perform. Produced by Michael Kavanagh.
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