Singer and composer with deep rural roots, considered as one of the most important Cuban soneros and promoters of Cuban traditional music.
Born in June 11, 1946, in Songo La Maya, Santiago de Cuba province. Since 1958 he lives in Santiago de Cuba city, where he engaged in his artistic career. At a very early age, he learned how to play the guitar and the "tres" developing also vocal qualities as an interpreter of Cuban traditional music such as sones, guarachas, guajiras and boleros.
His professional career began in the 60s with the "Quinteto Oriental" and later he became a member of the "Septeto Típico". In 1978 he joined the "Cuarteto Patria" as director and singer. In 1986 he recorded the song Chan Chan together with the renowned Cuban musician Francisco Repilado, internationally known as Compay Segundo, and in 1989 they performed in USA (Washington), Guadeloupe and the Dominican Republic. In 1997 he was one of the artists included in the Grammy prize winner Buena Vista S
ocial Club record.
He has visited more than 40 countries in artistic tours, and -together with Compay Segundo--, recorded significant Cuban themes such as Son de Oriente and Chanchaneando. He also recorded La venganza de Perico together with the Cameroons´ saxophonist Dibango; the continental record El guateque de Don Tomás, together with the famous American troubadour Bob Dylan, and his most successful and popular song, Píntate los labios, María, that together with the video-clip made by the film director Frank Padrón on the same topic, have won many Lucas awards and other international prizes, among them, several Golden Records.
