Tom Jones: “I’m a Great Habano Fan”

World-class pop star Tom Jones was one of the boldface names that attended the 16th Habano Festival, an event that came to an end Friday night with a gala dinner and a humidor auction that raked in over a million dollars for Cuba’s healthcare system.

Jones sang some of his smash hits, like It’s Not Unusual, Help Yourself and a very personal version of Besame Mucho, in a performance that brought down the house during the last great function of the 16th Habano Festival.

The British performer, who is visiting Cuba for the first time, said: “I’ve been great habano fan since the 1960s and I still am.”

Sir Thomas John Woodward, better known in showbiz as Tom Jones, is a singer from Wales with a long musical career who has sold over 100 million albums around the world.

Jones stepped onto the limelight back in the 1960s for his powerful voice, extravagant style and his sensuality, elements that have played a major role in his career as an artist.

His musical career began in 1963 when he was a vocalist for Tommy Scott & The Senators, a band of meager success that eventually helped put the singer on the map.

It was Gordon Mills –he was the artist’s manager and producer till his passing- who gave him the artistic name of Tom Jones, in tribute to the literary character.

His success has been marked by countless awards and recognitions, including the Lifetime Achievement Brit Awards in 2003, the British Crown Order when he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, for his lifetime musical career on March 29, 2006.

During his stay in Cuba, Mr. Jones visited Cuba’s National Ballet School and toured the facilities of the El Laguito cigar factory, home to the world-known Cohiba habanos.