The flutist, composer and conductor José Luis Cortés, the roughthe musician who revived the popular Cuban rhythms as a forerunner of the timba died this Monday in Havana at the age of 70, official sources reported.
The Musical Recordings and Editions Company, EGREM, published the news on Facebook, highlighting the origins of the artist, considered one of the most important exponents of Cuban music in recent decades.
“His talent and constant experimentation with the most authentic sounds make him a benchmark for contemporary creation. A tireless contributor since Iraqere or with NG la Banda, José Luis leaves a deep mark on popular sounds,” the record label said, revealing the same I was preparing a new project with the musician.
The causes of death have not yet been specified, but his followers on social networks assure that he has been ill for several years. “He relapsed and kept coming back but seems to have gotten worse lately,” they commented on Facebook.
they were not transcended Musician news 2020, when he told the official newspaper Cubadebate that he had studied the flute to earn bread with ham and cheese. Over the years he has become one of the most virtuosic flutists on the island.
At the National School of Art, teacher Emigdio Mayo bought bread with ham and cheese in each class and the best performer took the prize. “I didn’t like the flute and thanks to this stimulus I started to study it,” he then assured.
At just 16 years old, Cortés – born in El Condado, a modest neighborhood of Santa Clara – became a member of Los Van Van, one of Cuba’s most important orchestras, of which he is the founder.
He later joined Iraqere along with teacher Chucho Valdés and founded the group in 1988 NG (New Generation) The Banda project that endeared him to dancers on the island.
Flautist, arranger, composer, music producer a orchestra leaderEl Tosco received the National Music Award in 2017.
In addition to his well-known activities in these areas, he has had a career that is no less successful than Jazz and instrumental musician.
He is considered one of the Forerunner of the Cuban timba genre and one of the creators of the new school of flutists of current Cuban popular music.
His followers remember him for popular songs like “Échale limon”, “La Witch” and “La que manda”.
His extensive musical career, with almost forty record works It has earned him the acceptance of an unconditional public, acclaim from critics and countless awards: VIP Author of the General Society of Spanish Authors (SGAE).
The famous son of Villa Clara, his hometown and winner of the 41st International Fair of Cali, Colombia, has performed with his band in almost every country in Europe and Latin America.
Last January, the outstanding Cuban trumpeter also died Elpidio Chapotin DelgadoMusician of NG La Banda, also 70 years old.
Grand-nephew of the legendary Cuban trumpeter Félix Chapotín – the Louis Armstrong of Cuban popular music – and one of the members of the brass group “The Metals of Terror“, which marked the music of José Luis Cortés and NG la Banda, the artist is also part of the history of Cuban popular music.
Discography (NG La Banda):
Don’t Get Complicated (1988)
On the Road (1990)
You Can’t Cover the Sun With a Finger (1990)
Back on the Road (1991)
About Body and Soul (1991)
Give Him Lemon (1993)
For Curacao (1993)
The One Who Commands (1994)
The Witch (1994)
Live from the Terrace of My House… (1995)
From There to Here (1996)
The Hookah (1996)
Venom (1998)
Dance with me (2000)
My 22 Years (2013)