Joaquín Núñez Confirms Debut Album ‘Ruta de la Clave’

Celebrated Cuban-Canadian drummer, percussionist, composer, and educator Joaquín Núñez is set to release his long-awaited debut album, Ruta de la Clave, on Friday, May 23, 2025, via Lulaworld Records. Backed by his dynamic ensemble Habana Safari, this nine-track collection is a bold and heartfelt exploration of Afro-Cuban musical tradition, rhythm, and cultural identity—bridging folkloric roots with the improvisational freedom of modern jazz.

Crafted over five years and recorded in Canada between 2022 and 2024, Ruta de la Clave was created in close collaboration with acclaimed New York–based Cuban pianist and arranger Dayramir González, who contributes compositions, arrangements, and fiery performances throughout. The result is a deeply layered sonic journey that traces the rhythmic and cultural evolution of the clave—the fundamental pattern at the heart of Afro-Cuban music.

Tracks like the fiery opener “Afrocubanos” and the title track “Ruta de la Clave” pay homage to sacred batá traditions and carnival energy, while “Mi Changüí” and “Una Guajira en New York” reimagine rural Cuban genres through a sophisticated jazz lens. “Nostalgia,” one of the album’s most intimate pieces, reflects Joaquín’s own journey from Cuba to Canada and the emotional weight of displacement and renewal.

Joaquín Núñez ‘Ruta de la Clave’ album artwork