Havana, Cuba. – Luis Martinez-Griñan is one of the greatest Cuban Son pianists. The composer and arranger was born in the eastern city of Guantanamo, where he started music studies with his sister, in spite of his father’s disagreement. Lilí Martínez: la perla del oriente cubano. Foto tomada de Internet Lili Martinez, as he was known in show business, first played in family and friends’... 

Havana, Cuba. – Julio Gonzalo Elias Roig – Havana 1890-1970 – was one of those Cuban musicians with natural gifts, but was also very dedicated to the Spanish operetta in its most varied ways. Known in show business as Gonzalo Roig, he found plenty of space in his lengthy career for the Cuban roots. La zarzuela Cecilia Valdés: obra universal del músico cubano Gonzalo Roig. Foto... 

Havana, Cuba. – Electo Rosell, better known in Cuba as “Chepin”, was a composer, violinist and orchestra conductor. He was an exponent of popular genres, like jazz, Son, danzon, guaracha and classic music. He was born in Santiago de Cuba on November 7 1907. Músico cubano Electo Rosell, Chepín. Foto tomada de Internet His path in music began under the aegis of his father, Jose Rosell,... 

Havana, Cuba. – Ernesto Lecuona is one of the most important Cuban lyrical composers, particularly in Spanish operetta. He was a multifaceted and comprehensive creator. This child prodigy began to study piano with his sister Ernestina and gave his first concert at the age of five. He composed his first piece for concert band, titled “Cuba and America”, at the age of 13. Ernesto Lecuona Casado,... 

Havana, Cuba. – The Cuban capital saw composer Manuel Saumell pass away 142 years ago, on August 14 1870. He was considered the initiator of nationalism in Cuban music. Manuel Saumell compositor cubano. Foto tomada de Internet The great Cuban writer Alejo Carpentier said about Saumell in one of his books, “Thanks to Saumell, the elements of Cuban identity that were scattered all over became... 

Havana, Cuba. – “Back in the year nineteen ninety five/and in the forests of Mayari/one morning I left the hut/and a mambi soldier went out to war/A Cuban girl that was my sweetheart/whose weeping the night happened to see/rode her horse the next day/tracked me down and followed me… “. These very well known verses belong to a melody titled “The mambi”, whose author was... 

Havana, Cuba. – Musicologist and composer Argeliers Leon was born in Havana, on May 7 1918. He introduced in Cuba the most advanced techniques in the field of scientific research and thus became a personality that provided an integrated outlook to Cuban culture. Argeliers León, musicólogo y compositor cubano From 1926 to 1934, he studied in Havana Municipal Conservatory, under the tutorship... 

Havana, Cuba. – The renowned Cuban musician Pedrito Junco died in the Cuban capital on April 25 1943. His short lifetime – 23 years – did not prevent him from becoming a great pianist and outstanding composer. Pedrito Junco. Foto tomada de Internet He was the author of the famous bolero Nosotros (Us), Tus Ojos (Your eyes) and Mi santuario (My sanctuary). These songs succeeded throughout... 

Havana, Cuba. – Jose Urfe, composer, clarinetist and music professor was born in the heart of a humble family in the town of Madruga, on February 6 1879. The also conductor of orchestras and music bands took his first music classes with Professor Domingo Ramos. The following year, after the beginning of the 1895 War, he moved to the capital city where he continued his studies with Hipolito Rodriguez.... 

Havana, Cuba. – Danzon is the most authentic expression of Cuban music. It was created in high society ballrooms in times of the colony. It was created in the city of Matanzas, on January 1 1879 by Miguel Ramon Demetrio Failde.  Nevertheless, Jose Urfe made a great breakthrough for this genre in the early XX century. José Urfé, músico y compositor cubano According to musicologist Jose Reyes...