cross-posted at The European Tribune
Today, in a Havana hospital, one of the great Cuban musicians in the Son and bolero tradition, Ibrahim Ferrer, died due to gastroenteritis at age 78.
If you don’t happen to know of his music, he was the lead singer in the Bueno Vista Social Club movie ensemble. His voice and the emotion of expression in his singing were incredible. A great loss and a sad day.
The BBC has a full obituary here:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4128560.stm
In 1999, a film directed by Wim Wenders was released, showing Ry Cooder’s work with the group of veteran Cuban musicians.
After launching a solo career, Ferrer himself was awarded a Grammy for his salsa album Buenos Hermanos.
However, the Cuban artist was unable to attend the awards ceremony because the US refused to grant him a visa. He also won two Latin Grammys.
His latest European tour, showcasing boleros Ferrer planned to release in 2006, took him to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, France and Spain.
Give a listen to “Bueno Vista Social Club presents: Ibrahim Ferrer”…it is so sweet. Rest in peace, Ibrahim.