Buena Fe are Cuba's most popular group, fusing the island's traditional musical styles such as trova (ballads) and salsa with a more contemporary pop sound. The duo, Israel Rojas and Yoel Martinez, both grew up in Guantanamo, Cuba's most eastern province, where Martinez studied classical guitar, playing in local bars and clubs, and Rojas trained to be a lawyer, writing song lyrics in his spare time.
Playing together at first at local festivals in Guantanamo, Buena Fe soon caught the attention of the national record label, Egrem, who invited them to Havana to record their first record, "Dejame Entrar". Performing alongside Buena Vista Social Club regulars such as Eliades Ochoa in the music venues of Havana, Rojas and Martinez quickly built up a loyal following.
In 2002 they won the prize for best pop fusion album at the Cuban Music Awards, cementing their reputation as one of the island's most innovative and best-loved acts.
They were then named best pop act for three years running, releasing two further albums – Arsenal in 2003 and 2004's Corazonero – and selling out Havana's Teatro Karl Marx in a record four hours. With Buena Fe touring Europe and Latin America in 2007, including performances at the Floridita chain of restaurants, to promote a new album, "Presagios", the band look set to extend their popularity worldwide.
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