Fernando Borrego Linares, better known as Polo Montañez, is the latest phenomenon to hit the international stage from Cuba. Discovered by Jose Da Silva (Lusafrica) who already made the headlines with Cesaria Evora amongst others, this guitar-strumming crooner from the Eastern province of Pinar del Rio has become the sweetheart of Havana and is regularly compared to the legendary Beny More, in just two years. We caught up with him before his showcase at the Womex 2002 in Essen to try to discover the man behind the guitar.

Interview : Marushka
Photo : Benjamin MiNiMuM
Womex, Essen Germany, October 2002