He was born in Paris, son of a Spanish father and a Cuban mother, adopting the nationality of the latter. Being only 17 years old, he enters the Symphonic Orchestra of Madrid as first violin. He arrived to Cuba in 1919 and made his early steps at the Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestra of Havana, parallel to this worked as musician at hotels, movies and cabarets. Author of notable musical works such as La Rebambaramba (1928) as his most famous piece although his Corujey (1932) and Motivos del Son, tackling texts by Nicolás Guillén are also well-known (1932). A centric theater of the capital is proudly carrying the name of this legendary musician.
He was born in Paris, son of a Spanish father and a Cuban mother, adopting the nationality of the latter. Being only 17 years old, he enters the Symphonic Orchestra of Madrid as first violin. He arrived to Cuba in 1919 and made his early steps at the Symphonic and Philharmonic Orchestra of Havana, parallel to this worked as musician at hotels, movies and cabarets. Author of notable musical works such as La Rebambaramba (1928) as his most famous piece although his Corujey (1932) and Motivos del Son, tackling texts by Nicolás Guillén are also well-known (1932). A centric theater of the capital is proudly carrying the name of this legendary musician.
