The tres cubano (the Cuban three) is basically a modified version of the regular guitar. The six usual strings are transformed on the tres into three groups of two strings tuned in octaves. The instrument can be heard frequently in Cuban ensembles such as the famous
Buena Vista Social Club, in which
Compay Segundo played many of the tres parts. In the professional circuit, female tress players are
… scarce, not to mention non-existent. Yarima Blanco changes all that with her excellent playing. With virtuosity and elegance she brings this instrument, which is played by fewer and fewer people nowadays, to a higher level. With her band Son Latino she plays traditional Cuban forms like boleros, cha cha cha, and son, but thanks to the ingenious compositions and arrangements the songs sound very accessible to laymen as well. Amiga, for example, is one of the pieces that betrays clear pop influences and shows that Blanco is also a fine singer. (JV)more
