50 years in the making: Cuban culture visits the White House
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The sounds of Cuban music blasting through the White House was a remarkable moment for guitarist Eliades Ochoa and singer Omara Portuondo.
They never thought they'd make it here.
Portuondo told CBS News the performance represents her flag, her culture and her ideals. Ochoa says the trip will be part of his artistic record forever.
The musicians were little known out side of Cuba for decades. In the 1990s, the Buena Vista Social Club album made them a worldwide sensation.
That inspired an Academy Award nominated documentary, and soon many band members had found fame in their 70s and 80s.
Omara and Eliades hope today's White House visit is just the beginning. Eliades believes a day will come when everyone will be able to sit down and eat at the same table.
That gets a laugh from Omara, who says her band mate speaks the truth and beautiful words.
Their final song Thursday afternoon was "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" (Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps), which Omara learned from Nat King Cole.
"I knew Nat King Cole," Omara says. "Yes, he went in Cuba, we sang with him and other singers. He sang 'Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.'"
Perhaps has never been so promising.
