The son of Cuban immigrants, Carlos José Alvarez blends traditional Cuban ensembles and rhythms with a modern orchestral sound into the Cubamerican score. His compositions swiftly transform full orchestration into powerful and driving rhythms, transporting the listener through sixty years of Cuba’s history. A talented percussionist, Alvarez’s drumming serves as the film’s heartbeat deeply rooted in the island’s folklore. His commitment to producing a contemporary sound using first-class Cuban musicians results in a unique and virtuosic soundtrack with an unmistakable Cuban identity. Alvarez has carefully crafted a melodic score that highlights themes of loss, struggle and triumph with fragile beauty and soulful passion. Alvarez says, “I’ve dreamed of the opportunity to compose music that would celebrate my Cuban heritage and serve as a tribute to the sacrifices made by my parents and grandparents’ generation. More than ever, I understand the immense loss that they experienced leaving Cuba and the separation from family that they were forced to endure. I awake each day free to express myself through my music because of their sacrifice and I felt a deep responsibility to honor that.” Flute DANILO LOZANO Trumpet LUIS ERIC GONZALEZ Tres & Guitar  RAMON STAGNARO Piano   ALBERTO SALAS MAX HAYMER Acoustic Bass CARLITOS DEL PUERTO Percussion CARLOS JOSÉ ALVAREZ Add'l Percussion ROBERT ROSARIO The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra Conducted by LEOS SVAROVSKY Concertmaster BORIS CHOMCA Recorded at SMECKY MUSIC STUDIOS by JAN HOLZNER Assistant Engineer and Translator VITEK KRAL Music Contractor JAMES FITZPATRICK for TADLOW MUSIC Orchestrated by JEROME LEROY Assistant Orchestrators ANDY FORSBERG & JON ONG Music Preparation THANH TRAN & TINA TAMURA Score Coordinator MAX HAYMER Music Score Mixed by MATT WARD Album Mastered by LOUIE TERAN at MARCUSSEN MASTERING Music Produced by CARLOS JOSÉ ALVAREZ & ROBERT ROSARIO Album Artwork BRANDON KELLY Album Producers CARLOS JOSÉ ALVAREZ & RAY COSTA Composer wishes like to thank JOSÉ & PATRICIA ALVAREZ, ANGELA ALVAREZ; ANDRES, NICOLAS, & PATRICK ALVAREZ; JOSÉ ENRIQUE PARDO, DEBORAH LURIE, ALEX JIMÉNEZ, MICHALIS ECONOMOU