Music, Portrait of a Nation.

Music - Profiles and Sounds

REINOSO, AURELIA SINGER. Havana, 10-5-1924 -- 1-4-1985. Started singing on radio stations. For several years was a member of quartet 'Orlando de la Rosa'. As a soloist toured Latin America and the US. He performed on theater and on TV.
REMOLA, MARIA. SOPRANO. Spain, 12-7-1930. Moved to Cuba in 1952. A major soloist in a number of Spanish operettas, such as the 'Do¤a Francisquita'. Has performed over Europe, Asia and Latin America.
RIVERA, PAQUITO. Saxophonist, composer and director. 6-4-1948. One of the best jazz musician in the world. Played saxophone since childhood. In 1973 co-founded the group "Iraquere". Has recorded several records alongside great other performers. In 1980 defected to the US.
RODRIGUEZ, ARSENIO. Composer and "tres"-guitar player. Matanzas, 8-30-1911---L.A. California, 12-31-1971. Started playing son since his adolescence. In 1940 reached popularity with his group "El Ciego Maravilloso", (the wonderfull blind) since he lost his sight at 13. His real name was Ignacio Loyola Rodriguez. In the late 50's moved to New York and founded the "Cubanisimo" group, and wrote songs like "Triste Lucha, Matanzas, Tumba palo cocuye, Zenaida," etc.
RODRIGUEZ, OSVALDO. Composer, singer and guitarrist. Matanzas, 6-9-1049. A blind musician since childhood. In 1968 founded the "all-blind-musicians" group 'Los 5U4'. Obtained international music award at Sochi and the Adolfo Guzman Award. In 1994 defected in Spain, now living in the US.
RODRIGUEZ, SILVIO. Composer. 11-29-1946. Started singing and playing guitar in 1967. In 1970 joined the group "Experimentacion Sonora del ICAIC". Among his new Latin American style repertoir are: "La era esta pariendo un corazon, Unicornio, Son desangrando, El papalote, Mariposas," etc. Has several recordings and has performed over Europe, Asia and South America.
ROIG, GONZALO. Composer and orquestra director. Havana, 7-20-1890 -- 6-13-1970. Co-founded with E.Lecuona and Perez Sentenat, the Orquesta Sinfonica de La Habana, which directed for years. Considered as the pioneer of the symphonic movement in Cuba. In 1927 was named director of the municipal band of Havana, where made great contributions to the Cuban musicIn 1929 founded the "Orquesta Ignacio Cervantes". Produced in 1932 the Spanish operetta "Cecilia Valdes". In 1938 founded the "Opera Nacional", which directed for few years. Gave performances practically all over the world.
ROLDAN, AMADEO. Composer, professor, violin player, and orquestra director. Paris, 7-12-1900---Havana, 3-2-1939. Born from a family of musicians, estudied music in Spain and performed in all Europe the violin. Arrives in Cuba on 1919 as a music professor. After a long string of successes, co-founded with Perez Centenat the "Escuela Normal de Musica de La Habana". Supported with other figures the preservation of and presentation of Afro-Cuban folklorics.
ROMEU, ANTONIO MARIA. Composer, pianist and orquestra director. Jibacoa, 9-11-1876 --- Havana, 1-18-1955. Started music since the age of 8 and at 12 wrote his first works. In 1911 founded is own orchestra which gave him great popularity and took him to US where he made several recordings. Wrote over 500 "danzones" and among them are: "El servicio obligatorio, Ay, que me vengo callendo, Tres lindas cubanas", etc, plus gave inmortal recognition to songs such as: "Perla marina" from Garay, "Aquella boca" from Delfin, and "La cleptomana" from Luna. Won several music awards from Spain and US.
ROSELL, ROSENDO. Composer, writer and animator. Placetas ? Started music since early age. Composed very popular and ageless cha-cha-chas like "Calculadora and Caimitillo y mara¤on",plus many other popular boleros. Moved to the US since few years.
RUBALCABA, GONZALO. Composer and pianist. Havana, 5-27-1963. Born form a family of musicians. Performed with the "Orquesta de Musica Moderna" and "Sonido Contemporaneo". Founded his group "Proyecto".
RUMBA, LA. Music and dance born from Afro-Spanish roots. Developed under African slaves "quarterias" of 'camps' around sugar mills. It is formed by two other forms: the "yambu" and "guaguanco". Being the 'guaguanco the fastest, more figurative and descriptive. Some movements were taken from the "abakua" dances.
RUMBAVANA, CONJUNTO. A popular music group founded in Havana on 1955, under the direction of Ricardo Ferrro. Gained great popularity with Cuban music in general. Performs on radio, TV, public events, and made appearances on South America.
SANDOVAL, ARTURO. Trompetist. Artemisa, 11-6-1949. Finished the national school of arts in 1967. Made several recordings and reached popularity performing with the group 'Irakere'. Has given performances over Europe and Latin America.
SANTAMARIA, MONGO. Percussionist. Havana, 4-7-1927. Moved to New York since 1949, where played with the Perez Prado's and Tito Puentes' orchestras. Made great contributions to the music line of jazz and Afro-Cuban rithms.
SANTANA, MARIA DE LOS ANGELES. Singer and Actress. Havana, 1914. Was the star in several Argentinian, Mexican, US, and Cuban films. Much of her work is found in the zarzuela arena. Today still performs for television.
SAUMELL, MANUEL. Composer. Havana, 1817 --- 8-14-1870. Is considered as the initiator of the National music trend. Popularly known as the father of such rithms as the 'contradanza', 'danzon', 'habanera', 'guajira', 'clave', 'criolla', and many other styles of Cuban music. Everything else written on Cuban music is no less than a work on elements composed by Manuel.
SIMONS, MOISES. Composer, pianist and orchestra director. Havana, 8-24-1889 --- Madrid, 6-28-1945. Started music since the age of 5. Performed as a pianist and managed to conduct a theater orchestra for several years. Some of his world famous works includes: 'El manisero', 'Chivo que rompe tambo', 'Marta', etc.
SOBRINOS DEL JUEZ, LOS. Musical group founded in 1967 by Cuban exiles in New York. Presently residing in Miami, they continue their musical career with Cuban dance rithms and variations of Cuban music with rock influences, archiving a popular and charasteristic style.
SOLIS, MEME. Composer, pianist and director. Mayajigua, ? Estudied piano since 6 years old. In 1960 founded a quartet carrying his name. performed on radio and TV until 1969. In 1987 moved to Madrid and then into the US. Among his popular work are: "Otro amanecer, La distancia, etc"
SON, EL. One of the basic form of vocal and dance element in the Cuban music. Derived from the African "bantu" music and Spanish rithms.
SONORA MATANCERA. Musical group founded in 1924, Matanzas. Since 1927 moved to Havana, where they reached popularity performing locally. In 1960 they moved to New York where they have continued a long list of recordings and popular hits.