A Tuba to Cuba

I am from Louisiana, half of my family is from New Orleans, and I am a music buff so I do know a lot of the history of New Orleans music. However, there seems to be no end to the depth of New Orleans music history as I keep learning more. This film proved that. If you have any interest at all in New Orleans, jazz music, international music, or all of the above, you will love this film. Even if you just have an interest in documentaries, I feel that this one is very powerful. It will keep you entertained with colorful, New Orleans and Cuban cultural visuals as it tells its story about family roots/history, the famous Preservation Hall Jazz Band, and the bond of music.

Very rarely have I seen a film that moves me like this one. It gives you hope for humanity and focus on what connects us, Music! This doc is beautiful shot and edited with extreme craftsmanship! A beautiful love letter to New Orleans Jazz, I would see it on the big screen if you have the chance!

This is a must check for anyone interested in culture, music and history. I had the opportunity to see it at the NOFF and was completely blown away. Growing up in New Orleans I was not aware of the similar roots in music that Nola had to Cuba. Once the music starts the language barrier disappears, that's one of the themes of this beautiful doc. Check it out if you have the chance. I give it 1000 stars!!

A Tuba for Cuba was extremely warmly-received in its world premiere at Austin's SXSW Film Festival. It is well-made and charming music documentary about New Orleans's Preservation Hall Jazz Band's tour of Cuba. It is beautifully-edited with sweetness and joy. The most intriguing part of the film is the connection that film makers and the musicians are trying to draw between the New Orleans Jazz traditions and the Afro-Cuban traditions. Without directly addressing the political issues, they are trying to breakdown the walls that have separated American and Cuba for 2 generations. I'm not particularly a fan of music documentaries which I often find a bit slow and directionless. I think this one had some of the same flaws although it is better than most of the ones I've seen. It may not be everyone's cup of tea. But if you love music documentaries and particularly if you love jazz, I would recommend it.

The emotions of joy, loss, passion and culture interwoven with the language of music was beautiful to see in the theater.