Los Primos Project

As a company that believes strongly in the social importance of cultural awareness and understanding, musical expression and life-long learning, Roadside Willies is pleased to support the extraordinary work of the Los Primos Society. Los Primos means "The Cousins" in Spanish and describes the relationship that now exists between many Canadian and Cuban primos. Thanks to the passion of founders Jeff and Amara Goodspeed and a multitude of friends and supporters, Los Primos has created a strong cultural connection between Cuba and Nova Scotia. Since its humble beginnings in 1997, Los Primos has donated more than 320 musical instruments for the benefit of Cuban musicians and implemented a band exchange program to advance the musical and cultural education of Canadian and Cuban students-of-music. Over the coming months and hopefully years, Roadside Willies is committed to helping advance the impact of this worthy project. Visit www.losprimos.ca to learn more about the Los Primos Society. Click here to learn more about the life and times of Truro native Jeff Goodspeed.

Roadside Willies serves as a key hub town venue for the performance of Latin Jazz and Salsa by Cuban and Nova Scotia exchange students. The "Los Primos Live!" program serves to connect new or used musical instruments with Cuban students. Through Roadside Willie's website, the donor and public-at-large will be able to see firsthand how their gift impacted the life of a Cuban primo. Instruments were not created to sit in a closet or on a shelf collecting dust. Music is the storyteller of a culture's history and represents the fabric of its very existence. Willie believes that hoarding, holding silent and therefore blocking the potential for spreading positive energy through musical creativity is a criminal offense! If you have a new or used instrument just waiting to be adopted, please send an email to manager@roadsidewillies.ca.