Photo Credits: Kieran Murphy
Carlos Paz is a Cuban-born singer-songwriter, based in Crosshaven, Co. Cork.
His music draws on the cultural melting pot of Spanish and African influences to create his original brand of singer-songwriter music. The impact of musical heroes like Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder and Ella Fitzgerald on Carlos is evident in his mixing of soul, funk, and blues with more traditional Cuban Son rhythms stemming from his roots as a traditional Tres guitarist.
A multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Carlos moves easily between guitar, Tres, and percussion, alongside songwriting, arranging and production, a versatility that has shaped every project he has been part of since arriving in Ireland.
Having won the prestigious 2017 Ignacio Villa National Prize from AHS, Cuba, Carlos Paz was afforded the opportunity to record his debut solo album Endémico with the EGREM record label. Endémico features world-class musicians such as Latin Grammy nominee Alain Perez and world-class jazz double bassist, Gaston Joya. Additionally, David Torrens, an emblematic singer-songwriter across the Spanish speaking world, recorded the haunting ballad ‘Arena Y Mar’ on Paz’ new album.
With this pedigree of collaborators, the resulting album Endémico is set to advance the career of Carlos Paz in unparalleled fashion. Endémico is a mature offering as a debut album. With well-crafted lyrics and an ability to laugh at himself, at Cuban society and politics when necessary, Carlos gives us an easy vehicle from which to transmit important social messages about his beloved country, Cuba. All while the world-music rhythms give everyone reasons to move and engage on a kinetic level with his music.
Carlos’s songwriting reach extends beyond his own projects. In 2024, he was commissioned by the International Festival La Canchanchara in Trinidad, Cuba, to write ‘Que Buena Está’, in collaboration with Carlitos Irarragorri, Las Tonadas Trinitarias, Rafee White & Mr. Robert, and Latin Grammy nominee Alain Pérez.
The song became the festival’s official theme, performed at its opening and closing ceremonies and featured across national TV coverage, and has since entered the popular Son repertoire, now played by trios and cuartetos across Cuba. He also writes with, for, and produces other artists, including ‘La Golondrina’ (2025), co-written with Cuban singer Lindiana Murphy, based in Spain, drawing on ideas from her time in Cuba.
Since arriving in Ireland six years ago, Carlos has significantly expanded and amplified his musical output, fronting and contributing to a range of projects across the country.
With his own band, Carlos performs a soulful mix of Latin and Cuban music, blending original compositions with infectious covers of classic Latin tunes. The band plays regularly at weddings and small festivals throughout Ireland.
Carlos is also Musical Director of Son Solar, Cork’s ten-piece salsa orchestra, where he works as singer, arranger and composer. Son Solar are regular performers across Cork, having played Cork Week, Tequila Jacks, Cyprus Avenue and the Cork Jazz Festival.
Son Solar Photo Credit: Kieran Murphy
As guitarist and musical producer, Carlos collaborates with Dublin-based Cuban-Irish singer-songwriter Qbanaa. With Qbanaa, Carlos has performed at Other Voices Festival Wales (2025), South by Southwest London (June 2025), Cork Opera House as part of the Cork Jazz Festival, United Islands Festival Prague (2025), Electric Picnic (2025), and President Higgins’ Summer Picnics at Áras an Uachtaráin (2024).
‘Llegó Son Solar’ is the brand new dance floor filler Out Today, August 6th from Orquesta Son Solar, teaming up with Cuban singer-songwriter Carlos Paz. Ireland’s Hottest Latin Band have joined forces with the man himself, bringing you a track made for salsa dancers in Cork and beyond.
An original composition rooted in traditional Cuban music and 70s and 80s salsa. From the first notes, ‘Llegó Son Solar’ gets you moving: that unmistakable tres, the piano tumbao, the percussion, the brass. Caribbean and Latin American rhythms, blended in a way you won’t hear anywhere else, straight from Ireland.
This one’s going to have the whole place moving, so get up and dance! Grab your dance partner and hit the floor, because ‘Llegó Son Solar’ is here!
Connect with Carlos Paz