Nil Lara

Nil Lara is an American musician born in 1964 in Newark, New Jersey. At eight, he mastered the cuatro and later took up the guitar. He spent much of his childhood in Venezuela before moving to Miami during junior high school. While studying electrical engineering at the University of Miami, Lara rediscovered his Cuban roots through guajiro and son music, leading him to take up the tres. He formed the group K.R.U., releasing two albums before they disbanded. In 1993, he released My First Child with Beluga Blue. He signed to Metro Blue/Capitol Records in 1995 and released a self-titled album in 1996. His music blends Cuban and Venezuelan folklore with influences from Western musicians. Lara toured extensively since 1995, performing with artists such as Lenny Kravitz and Natalie Merchant.