Some people enter the music world through spreadsheets and strategy. Others are pulled in by sound. For Collin Laverty, it began with a funky awakening – one that resonated deep in Havana’s heart, where rhythm isn’t just heard, it’s embodied. A single concert changed the trajectory of his life, opening a portal from diplomacy and policy work into the soulful terrain of artist development, management, and cultural exchange. The moment came in 2016, standing in Havana as more than 400,000 people gathered for the historic Diplo & Major Lazer concert. The air was electric. Young people danced, laughed, forgot the weight of daily life, and shared something rare: a collective joy.
That feeling never left him.
Now gearing up for CIMAFEST 2026, Collin sat down with us to reflect on the journey so far – from that spark of joy in Havana to building bridges between cultures, sounds, and generations through music.
Years after that first earthshaking concert in the Cuban capital, Collin watched then-emerging artist Cimafunk perform on a Havana rooftop at the very beginning of his solo journey. It wasn’t a calculated business move. It was instinct, energy, and belief. What started as helping connect the right people became Cimafunk’s first U.S. tour – and eventually, a partnership rooted in trust, patience, and vision. It was organic and unplanned, lit by the fire of funk, and guided by a mission far greater than metrics.
And it changed everything.
Collin didn’t enter the music industry with a rulebook. His education came from proximity, watching an artist deeply study the careers of his heroes: George Clinton, Michael Jackson, James Brown, Chucho Valdés, Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke, and Fela Kuti. Together, Collin and Cimafunk built a roadmap not just for success on stage, but for longevity off it. When asked if there was a person, place, or even a sound that guided his work, Collin assures us that a strong foundation built on shared values and collaboration is essential: “Cima studied their career moves with record labels, publishing, brand deals, side businesses and other elements of the business side of music and had a clear understanding of where they made consequential mistakes or positive career choices. That helped us craft a model for Cima’s growth based on what he wants artistically and business-wise, and it served as a great introductory course to music management for me. Simultaneously we built an awesome team with Marjorie Garcia (legal), John Reilly (PR), Ryan Soroka and Noah Simon (booking) and Ana Rosa Santiago (publishing), who have taught me so much and served as a support system.”
Quick to reject the idea of having a “superpower”, Collin instead speaks of patience and resistance. Resistance to the fast-food pace of the industry. For him, it’s about building careers with a 50-year horizon in mind, where mental health, family, and humanity aren’t afterthoughts; they’re foundational. This long-view approach becomes even more essential when advocating for Cuban artists navigating visa restrictions, U.S. sanctions, blocked streaming platforms, and political complexity. The barriers are real. The resilience required is immense.
Still, the reward is unmistakable.
In Service of the Music, in Service of the People
Through his work with groundbreaking talents like Cimafunk, Wampi, and Victor Campbell, Collin has proven that soulful management isn’t about control; it’s about mutual trust, integrity, and building bridges that endure beyond a single tour date or chart placement. With his Getting Funky in Havana program, Collin has helped spark an intergenerational dialogue between Cuban and New Orleans musicians, planting seeds of future collaboration and deep cultural kinship. What began as a celebration of shared African roots has evolved into a four-day festival featuring free outdoor concerts, intimate jam sessions in living rooms and on rooftops, artist workshops, instrument donations, and youth exchanges flowing both ways – from Havana to New Orleans, and back again.
“We’ve now brought over 100 U.S. artists to Cuba, including Trombone Shorty, Tank & The Bangas, Big Freedia, PJ Morton, George Clinton, Taj Mahal, Mannie Fresh and Michael Brun, and the dozens of Cuban artists that have participated include Cimafunk, Wampi, Los Van Van, Alexander Abreu & Habana D’ Primera, Pedrito Martinez, X Alfonso, Munequitos de Matanzas, Alain Pérez and Ibeyi,” says Collin. “Most importantly, Getting Funky in Havana has brought dozens of youth musicians from New Orleans to Cuba and dozens of Cuban youth musicians to New Orleans as part of the program, and we’ve supplied Cuban schools with much-needed instruments and technology through the donation element.” Over the years, legends and rising voices alike have joined in, but the heart of the project remains unchanged: access, exchange, and opportunity.
Watching a crowd fall into trance at a live show. Hearing legends speak to the global importance of Cuban music. Seeing artists support their families while staying true to their craft. For Collin, this is what success looks like.
“Cima’s live show is one of the most fulfilling experiences,” he shares. “Connecting with legacy artists like Paul McCartney, Dave Matthews, George Clinton, Juanes, Alejandro Sanz, and others – and hearing them talk about the importance of Cuban music and label Cimafunk as one of the best live performers on the planet – can be surreal. GRAMMY nominations and writeups in major media outlets help you realize your work is paying off. But more than that, seeing artists and musicians support themselves and their families financially through their work, while staying true to their art and their values, is what’s most fulfilling.”
When asked about advice for the next generation, Collin understands that creativity doesn’t follow formulas and that every path is personal. He listens more than he speaks; and connects artists to each other.
What makes Collin Laverty a true powerhouse isn’t just the music he helps bring to the world; it’s the way he does it. With humility, long-term thinking, and a soul-centered commitment to legacy. Not his own, but the artists’. Legacy, for Collin, isn’t about his name. It’s about the artists’ ability to shift culture while remaining grounded in community and care.
“I’m so lucky to work with once-in-a-lifetime artists. I want to help create opportunities for them to reach their maximum potential, and I’m sure that some of them will not only go down as the best artists to ever live, but will also change the culture. I’m also very fortunate to work with people that are kind and have good values. They care about supporting their communities, helping those in need and being responsible about a range of issues that can make the world a better place. That makes the work fun, rewarding and impactful.”
Right now, his joy is split between new music on the horizon – Wampi’s debut album, Cimafunk’s upcoming project with Emilio Estefan – and the most important project of all: his newborn daughter. Life, like music, is multilayered.
CIMAFEST 2026: A Living, Breathing Communion of Funky Groove
As Miami prepares for CIMAFEST, with Collin stepping into a leading role, his story feels especially resonant. Because this isn’t just about programming an event – it’s about creating space. Space for connection. For culture. And space for music that moves people together.
Now entering its boldest chapter yet, CIMAFEST 2026 lands at ZeyZey Miami for two unforgettable nights of deep groove, Afro-Cuban fire, and global funk. With Cimafunk & La Tribu headlining, and special performances by Buscabulla, Gia Fu, Blu DeTiger, Los Dátway, and the electric Funky Cuban Jam, this is more than a festival. It’s a living, breathing communion of funky, fiery rhythm and soul.
You never know who might show up, or how far the jam will go.
And that’s exactly the point.
Experience it for yourself on February 14 & 15 at ZeyZey Miami. Get your tickets now.
Portraits by Val Chaparro.
