Eric Turro Martinez is the dancer on the cover of My Seductive Cuba. See what he had to say about the project, the day of shooting, and find out about his life - past, present and future.
I have met Sven during the shooting of the promotional video for the Bar of Buena Vista show, through the artistic director and the producer of the Bar, Toby Gough and Jon Lee, respectively.
Why did you decide to participate in this photography project?
This was the main photo shoot of the promo video for the show, I am part of the Bar so I had to be there to represent Cuban traditional dance. It was my duty as a performer but also my privilege to be there with all my fellow performers.
How was the day of shooting? Any interesting stories?
It was a sunny day, full of energy, and a nervous day. We were at the "Guarida" place where the shooting was taking place; the location was full of performers, rum, ballet dancers, and musicians from the Afro Cuba All Stars and the Buena Vista Social Club.
There were old Soneros and myself, the Sonero from "La Havana Vieja" [Old Havana], from the Ignacio Pineiro Company.
What was interesting for me on that day was the speed at which Sven decided on the best positions for the shots, Sven's confidence in his work towards all performers and knowing how to choose the best spaces, light and angles.
I remember we all thought we were not good enough for the photos. Yet time has proven this was one of the greatest photo shoots and video recording sessions for a Cuban International production. Even today these photos and the video travel the world every time the Bar at Buena Vista is touring and I feel transported back in time to that particular day...a dream that I will never forget.
How was it working with Sven?
Interesting, demanding, educating, a great time to work with a real professional of photography.
What did you like about the creative process?
The vision and the way of using the natural resources and a high level of improvisation, the lack of technical resources compared to the final product, considering this was done 10 years ago, and yet it’s still moving people and making them feel "Cuba."
Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?
I have lived for seven years in Hamburg, Germany and for the past two years I am living at the Gold Coast of Australia.
What projects are you involved with these days?
These days the stars are the limit! I need to work very hard to maintain where I am now. My days have been filled with a lot of work - dancing, teaching, and leading the artistic direction:
- I am still the choreographer and primary dancer of the Bar at Buena Vista show. Next year we will be touring Europe again.
- With my wife, Chantal Turro Martinez, we have a registered company: "Buena Vista Turro Martinez - Cuban international Entertainment Company”- our mission is to promote and enhance Cuban culture around the globe.
- Here in Australia I have had the opportunity to get back into the role of "Artistic Director." In the past two years I have directed three Cuban shows: "Destinacion Cuba," "Buena Vista Extravaganza," and "Havana de Noche."
- Our dance school is growing and we have been conducting workshops and master classes in Australia and Singapore.
- We are part of the most prestigious Latin American festival in Australia.
- I am looking forward to breaking my record on the "Spin Around the Music." My last mark was recorded in 2007 and it was 1 hour, 17 minutes and 42 seconds.
- I am the Vice President and Technical Director, for Australia and Asia, of the new "Fundacion International Casino para todos" – an internationally registered body backed up with the most prestigious Cuban masters of the traditional dance forms. Our mission is to maintain Cuban dance as original, authentic and close to the source as possible
What is next for you?
Past, present, future - dance! To represent my Cuban culture till the end of my days....
Is there anything else you'd like people to know?
I am Cuban and I will always be Cuban wherever I am, with great respect for the country where I currently live and truly makes me feel welcome.
How did you hear about My Seductive Cuba?
Thanks to the best website of the planet: Friends, Facebook and one of friends - Jorge Flores from Mexico.
What do you think of the project?
I think that the project is great and important. It goes very deep into the real Cuban culture. It provides a new window, a different way for the world to know Cuba.
ERIC TURRO - 25 years of dance experience
• Artistic Director, Choreographer, Performer, Dance Instructor
• Lead dancer of “Buena Vista Social club” and “Bar at Buena Vista” shows.
• Co-Founder of Buena Vista TM
Born in Cuba, Eric is one of Cuba's undisputed top talents. His unique style of dance of the traditional “Son Cubano” makes him one of Cuba’s most admired and respected dancers around the world.
Eric is passionate about his art; all of Cuba’s traditional dances. He is the man who has brought the real traditional Cuban dance to the world stage through the Buena Vista Social Club and the Bar at Buena Vista.
Performing with the Buena Vista Social Club from 2001 – 2005 at the National Hotel in Cuba had given Eric the opportunity to demonstrate his art. This was followed with international tours around the globe with the Bar at Buena Vista and has positioned him at the top of the world as one of the greatest Cuban exponents of our era.
Eric’s role at the Bar at Buena Vista has been pivotal to the success of the show. It is undoubted that the charisma and dancing is an essential ingredient of Cuban music, his choreography is definitely geared towards highlighting the feats of balance and dexterity of the male dancers. Eric still today remains the choreographer and lead dancer of the show after all these years.
