Musician | DJ Producer | Composer

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Conuco, Born Leonardo Milano, is a visionary Cuban musician, DJ, and composer whose work masterfully fuses the essence of traditional Cuban music with contemporary electronic and jazz influences. A graduate in clarinet from the Manuel Muñoz Conservatory in Granma, Bayamo, Leonardo has expanded his artistry by independently mastering the saxophone, Afro-Cuban percussion, piano, and music production.

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Raised in a household steeped in musical tradition and encouraged by his parents from an early age, Leonardo developed a profound connection to Cuba’s rich folklore and rhythms. His artistic mission has always been to cultivate an authentic sound, deeply rooted in his heritage while innovatively exploring new musical landscapes.

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Conuco’s performances are distinguished by their vibrant energy and originality, seamlessly blending live instrumentation with DJing in a highly improvisational style. His dynamic integration of clarinet, piano, percussion, and electronic production creates electrifying performances that captivate audiences worldwide.

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Throughout his career, Leonardo has graced major national and international stages, including the CuBalcanica Project (Serbia, Montenegro, Albania, Macedonia), Afro Latinos Movements Project (London, UK), Eyeife Festival (where he won First Prize for Best Musical Production, Havana 2020), and the Havana World Music Festival. In 2023, he was appointed resident DJ for Karlito’s Way Company in Tanzania.

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His discography features collaborations with acclaimed artists and respected labels:

• Social Joy EP (VLG, Guilhem Monin ft. Leonardo Milano De Cuba) – London, UK

• Sound2Pixel – Guámpara Groove, Cuba

• Baila Mi Ritmo – EGREM, a tribute to Chucho Valdés and Irakere, featuring celebrated Cuban musicians such as Alexander Abreu, Horacio "El Negro" Hernández, and Cimafunk

• Sabor de Oriente – Turntables on the Hudson, USA​

 

Leonardo’s acclaimed album Jazzeando Sin Permiso, nominated in the electronic music category at the XXI edition of the Cubadisco International Festival (2017), signaled a bold new direction in his exploration of blending Latin American folklore with electronic sounds. His current work focuses on "electronic changüí," a groundbreaking reinterpretation of the vibrant traditional rhythms of Oriente, Cuba.

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During the global pandemic, Leonardo embraced the opportunity to delve deeper into Oriental music and the history of changüí, further enriching his musical vocabulary and reaffirming his commitment to his cultural roots. Looking forward, his vision remains steadfast: to create a distinctly Cuban electronic sound that honors tradition while pushing artistic boundaries.

With heartfelt gratitude to his family, friends, and the Cuban musical legacy that shaped him, Leonardo Milano De Cuba continues to forge a unique path where innovation and tradition merge — keeping alive the enduring spirit of Cuba through every beat and melody.

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Conuco: Tradition Reimagined Through Sound