'It's changed us all': CSULB vocal jazz students reflect on transformative Cuba tour
Cal State Long Beach’s Pacific Standard Time vocal jazz ensemble recently took the trip of a lifetime, traveling to Cuba during spring break. The journey dramatically changed the students’ perspectives on life abroad and here in the U.S.
During their eight-day visit, the 16-member singing and instrumental group performed at Fábrica de Arte Cubano, the Claxon Hotel, the National Art Museum and the Universidad de las Artes. They also had musical exchanges with the Cuban National Chorus and legendary Latin jazz band Los Van Van, and engaged in several less formal performances in a jazz club, at schools and other venues.
The PST visit was part of a cultural exchange organized by College of the Arts Dean Royce W. Smith, who lived in Cuba for six months and taught at the Instituto Superior de Arte in Havana in 2013.
Few Americans ever get to visit Cuba, even those who have Cuban ancestry. Tourist visas are not currently allowed, and only certain official visits are permitted.
“It was a cultural exchange of significant magnitude, as Cuban audiences gained exposure to vocal jazz repertoire that is rarely performed there, and CSULB students gained valuable insights into musical genres and practices (particularly in their master class with Los Van Van) that were new to them,” Smith said. “These kinds of interactions are critical in helping our students broaden their knowledge of musical styles and techniques that are formative to their growth as musicians.”
Here are some voices from the PST jazz ensemble of their time in Cuba:
Brandon Whitehurst
First-year graduate student in music performance
“It was such a profound experience; it’s so different than just leaving out of state for something like a festival. It’s a chance to view a different culture.
“For me, it was the first time being out of the country – that was an experience I’ll never forget. It’s one thing to be in a hotel room and wait for the next gig. It’s another thing to have eight days in an apartment when you’re living in another culture.”
Alexander ‘Ace’ Homami
Fourth-year music composition major
“We were lucky enough to visit the university and do a performance there. We also had a translator from the university. They were incredibly knowledgeable. And we were able to ask as many questions as we wanted.
“We were able to discuss what a lot of people from our generation are feeling about a lot of the politics and relations between Cuba and the U.S.
“It was just really interesting. We got to speak with people from an older generation about their experiences growing up in Cuba, and we were able get in touch with voices and minds from our generation, to see what their opinions were, their perspectives were, their stories were.”
Ryan Dong ‘23
Second-year graduate student, jazz studies
“I got to play with Los Van Van. I asked nicely to play with them, and they were really nice and cool. I basically got a private lesson. I got to play with the top Afro-Cuban percussionist in the country.”
Maggie Robertson
Fourth-year jazz voice major
“We have come back from this experience changed people – completely different people than we were before. When you spend eight days with people in a very hot and sticky climate … you never thought … you’d be performing in jazz clubs in Havana, Cuba.
“It changes you to see a perspective of a country that you’ve never been to, you’ve never really experienced, with some of the people that you’re closest to. I think that it’s changed us all, not only socially, musically, but it’s changed us all as friends and a group.”
Alex Baird
First-year graduate student, jazz studies voice
“My biggest takeaways: I came home, and I just felt incredibly grateful for everything that we have …. Just because we happen to be born in the U.S., we get to experience the riches that we just do in our everyday life.
“We think of Cuba as a crazy place to go visit, and everybody in Cuba would just like laugh in your face. Like what do you mean? It feels very safe. The people are just very kind and welcoming. I think we’ve got a misguided perspective.”
Max Smith
First-year jazz studies graduate student; his mother is of Cuban descent
“The biggest thing that struck me about the trip was just how generous the people were there, and how receptive they were to us, whether it was performing, or eating at a restaurant, or eating at someone’s home.
“They were so open to us, and so willing to take us in — literally into their homes —and feed us. And they were just so, so generous. We came in with this apprehension about how we would be received. But we were family with these people, really.
“I sort of had that apprehension (about his Cuban background). I didn’t know how they were going to receive somebody who — my family escaped. I don’t know what their perspective is on people who come back. But they were so, so open. Every time we did a show, I would tell them I’m Cuban, and people were cheering and coming up to me after and wanting to meet me and exchange social media. That was so unexpected, and it really filled me up.”
Christine Guter
Director, vocal jazz at CSULB
“The students gained so much. Being able to connect with the Cuban people, just being scooped up, loved and immediately accepted. They were immersed in the culture, the music, the arts, the lifestyle. It was absolutely transformational for them.”
