Alex Cuba was born in 1974 in Cuba and was initially named Alexis Puentes. He spent his early years in Artemisa in Cuba. His father was Valentin Puentes, a guitar player and a music teacher; this influenced a young Alex to play the guitar at the early age of six. He married a Canadian in Cuba and immigrated to Canada in 1999, accompanied by his wife and twin brother, Adonis. They moved to Victoria in British Colombia and continued pursuing music as the Puentes Brothers. The twin brothers were nominated for the JUNO Award in 2001.

Cuba wrote and sang songs in both Spanish and English languages. Following the launch of his music career away from his brother, he won two JUNO Awards for the World Music Album of the Year. Although his music covers more than Latin and African music, it is also a mix of jazz, funk and pop. His albums Humo de Tabaco (2006) and Agua del Pozo (2008), both won JUNO Awards for Best World Music Album. He was honoured with the Latin Grammy for Best New Artist in 2010. His album Healer won him the Latin Grammy Award for the Best Singer-Songwriter Album and a Grammy Award nomination for the Best Latin Pop Album.

He has collaborated with many successful artists throughout his career including Ron Sexsmith and Corinne Bailey Rae. His duet with Sexsmith “Lo Mismo Que Yo” landed on the UK Singles Chart at No.52. Cuba’s career has led him to perform at the National Canada Day celebration on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in 2016 and in 2022 he was acknowledged for his contributions to music with an honorary Doctorate in Law from Queen’s University.