A Havana Night in Copenhagen: Nova Concerts Closes Its 2025 Season with a Unique Celebration of Cuban Music

On November 7th, 2025, Nova Concerts invites audiences to THE TIMBA LEGACY – A Tribute to Grupo Danson and the Afro-Cuban Sound, the spectacular finale of its acclaimed Afro-Cuban trilogy. Taking place at Musikcaféen, Huset i Magstræde, this one-night-only concert will bring together an extraordinary lineup of musicians to celebrate the past, present, and future of Cuban music.

The concert is the final chapter of a journey that began two concerts ago. With Akokán, Nova explored the ancestral heartbeat of Afro-Cuban music — its rhythms, rituals, and stories born from the African diaspora. With Resonancia, the focus shifted to how those rhythms evolved into melodies and travelled across cultures. Now, LEGACY celebrates the living sound of that evolution — music that originated in the streets of Havana, transcended borders, and continues to move audiences worldwide.

At the heart of this special night is the Cuban-Danish band Grupo Danson, the legendary orchestra that in the early 00's shaped a new chapter of Cuban music in Europe. Founded by trombonist Carlos Pérez, bassist Yasser Pino, and trombonist Mia Engsager and brought to life by the extraordinary Alexander Abreu, Danson fused tradition and innovation, proving the global reach and emotional depth of Cuban music. Original Danson pianist Rune Thorsteinsson will join in the concert, adding his unmistakable touch.

Audiences can expect more than a performance — LEGACY is an invitation to experience the joy, depth, and cultural power of Cuban music, even if they’ve never heard it before. It’s a night where stories are told without words, where rhythms bring people together, and where a room becomes a celebration.

This concert is a reunion. A celebration. A Havana night in Copenhagen. A great finale for Nova Concerts Series 2025, and everyone’s invited!

Lineup – Musicians Who Carry the Story Forward

• Henri Benítez (vocals) – A Cuban singer who has performed with Pupy y Los Que Son Son and the DR Big Band, sharing stages with artists like Tito Nieves, Eliel Lazo, and Calixto Oviedo. His voice bridges Cuban tradition with contemporary fusion on international stages.
• Oldrich González (piano) – A subtle architect of harmony has worked with Afro-Cuban All Stars. Oldrich’s playing weaves together tradition and improvisation, grounding the music with colour and depth.
• Tony Moreaux (bongos, percussion) – Born in Guantánamo and shaped by changüí, Tony’s playing bridges deep-rooted Afro-Cuban rhythms with the energy of modern jazz and salsa. A member of the Afro-Cuban All Stars, he brings heritage and virtuosity in equal measure.
• Yasser Pino (bass) – One of Grupo Danson’s founders, Yasser anchors the entire sound, connecting rhythm to melody and giving the music its unmistakable heartbeat.
• Rubens Millet Herrera (drums) – A dynamic force behind the kit, Rubens is the pulse that drives the ensemble forward — responsive, energetic, and deeply attuned to the groove.
• Peter Ehler (congas) – A master of the tumbao, Peter shapes the rhythmic conversation with his congas, grounding the ensemble with earthy, expressive textures.
• Jakob Johansen (trombone) – Jakob’s sound brings power and warmth to the brass section, adding punch, presence, and lyrical weight to the arrangements.
• Carlos Pérez (trombone) – Founding member of Danson and one of the central figures in this story, Carlos returns from Miami for this concert — a living bridge between the orchestra’s past and its present legacy.
• Rune Thorsteinsson (guest pianist) – Original pianist of Grupo Danson, Rune returns with his unmistakable harmonic voice and creative spark.