Eliades Ochoa to bring 80th birthday show to National Concert Hall

On the brink of his 80th birthday Elides Ochoa has announced he is bringing  his show Como Nunca to the National Concert Hall, Dublin on October 19.

Known as the "Cuban Johnny Cash" for his signature look consisting of a black cowboy hat and boots, he has been regarded as one of the last traditional Cuban troubadours.

He began his music career in 1978 when he was invited to lead Cuban musical group Cuarteto Patria, a group founded in 1939. He accepted the offer on the condition that he would introduce new musical works into the group's repertoire. From there they incorporated blended elements of African and Spanish origin into their music, gaining popularity throughout Cuba.

His involvement with the Buena Vista Social Club is where he gained his worldwide fame. The musical ensemble formed in 1996 primarily made up of Cuban musicians and were active for nearly two decades before disbanding in 2015.

Driven by the international success of the band, Ochoa has since released nine albums under his own name. In 2012 his album Un Bolero Para Ti won a Latin Grammy.

At the National Concert Hall, Ochoa will perform a career spanning set featuring classics alongside material from his most recent record Guajiro featuring collaborations with Rubén Blades, Joan as Police Woman, and Charlie Musselwhite.

Tickets are on sale now via the National Concert Hall Box Office.