Addys Mercedes

Addys Mercedes (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈaðis merˈseðes], formerly known as Addys D'Mercedes) is a Cuban pop and world music singer living in Germany and Spain.

She made her UK debut in 2001 at the Guildford Festival and since then has undertaken two British tours.

Addys was born in 1973 in Moa, a city in the east of Holguín Province. At the age of 10, she had learnt a vast repertoire – from Cuban songs to boleros, Mexican rancheras to American pop-songs.

At the age of 15, Addys started performing with her first professional band Timbre Latino. Shortly thereafter, she was asked by the nationally successful band "Los Neiras" to join them.

At the age of 18, Addys became part of a newly founded band with a daily gig in the tourist area Guardalavaca. During the periodo especial, when food was difficult to obtain, this was the gig every musician was dreaming of. She had a room in the hotel and was fully catered. With the fee and tips she made, she was able to support her family.

In 1993, Addys was invited to Germany and quickly learned German. She founded her first trio and began writing her own songs. She regularly visited her family in Cuba but also absorbed the new influences of her new home.

In 1999, she moved to Düsseldorf and was signed by the label Media Luna. She began the production of her debut album which was mainly recorded in Havana with musician friends from her hometown. Raúl Planas was a special guest on the recording.

Mundo Nuevo was released in 2001 by the label Media Luna (Warner) and became a huge success in European media.

In 2003, Addys released her second album, Nomad (Media Luna / Sony), recorded in Germany and Barcelona and mixed her Cuban roots with electronic elements. She performed in many concerts and toured in 16 European countries, sharing stages with artists like Eric Clapton, Bob Geldof, Mike Rutherford, Gary Brooker, Ringo Starr, Juan Luis Guerra, Compay Segundo and Tito Nieves.

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