Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Juan Carlos Formell dies aged 59 after suffering a heart attack onstage during his NYC show
- Formell, who was the son of musical legend Juan Formell, was nominated for a Grammy in 2000 for his debut album 'Songs from a Little Blue House'
- He was performing in the Bronx when he had a heart attack
Juan Carlos Formell, the renowned Cuban singer and songwriter, has died at the age of 59.
He died after suffering a heart attack onstage at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts in the Bronx, New York City on May 26.
Formell, who was the son of musical legend Juan Formell, was nominated for a Grammy in 2000 for his debut album 'Songs from a Little Blue House.'
He fled from Cuba and moved to New York in 1993, and following his father Juan Formell's death in 2014, he took over as the bassist in his Afro-Cuban band, Los Van Van.
Los Van Van's drummer is his brother Samuel, his sister Vanessa is on vocals.
Juan Carlos Formell, the renowned Cuban singer and songwriter, has died at the age of 59
Juan Carlos Formell (right) was performing in the Bronx when he suddenly wandered off, and collapsed near a curtain at the back of the stage after suffering from a heart attack
Formell is seen left playing the bass on the Friday night concert
He is then seen stumbling off the stage, after suffering the medical emergency
They were performing in the Bronx when he suddenly wandered off, and collapsed near a curtain at the back of the stage after suffering from a heart attack.
The band took a half an hour break before telling the audience that Formell was suffering with health problems. They then finished the set, playing for another hour, reports NYT.
Juan Carlos Formell comes from a long line of musicians in Cuba.
His great-grandfather, grandfather, and father were all known for their musical skills - playing among some of the greats of their ages.
His mother, Natalia Alfonso, was also a cabaret singer.
In 1993, while on tour with the dance band Conjunto Rumbavana in Mexico, Formell defected.
He crossed the Rio Grande near Laredo, Texas. He eventually ended up settling in New York City.
Juan Formel senior, left, leader of the popular orchestra Los Van Van performs in Havana, Cuba late Sunday, August 26, 2001
Formell built his career at jazz clubs, and stayed true to his roots in his music - rooting it in Cuban romantic music and traditional styles.
Los Van Van wrote in a tribute to the musician: 'It is with great sadness that we inform you that our brother and bass player has passed away.
'Everyone who ever met him knows how special he was as a human being, as a professional and as a musician. We are all devastated with this news.
'We have the joy that his last moments were on stage giving everything for our music, for our family, for Los Van Van and for their fans.
'We wish you eternal light together with our father and all the great Vanvaneros who watch over us from Heaven. We will miss you so much Juanca.
'To our fans we inform you that the tour in the United States continues, we will be paying tribute to Juan Carlos in every performance, in every musical note, in every Vanvanero choir as Juanca would have wanted.'
