Adalberto Álvarez died at the age of 72 from COVID-19.
Adalberto Álvarez, the Cuban composer and conductor, died this Wednesday at the age of 72, due to complications he suffered after contracting COVID-19.
The Music Recordings and Editions Company (EGREM) reported through social networks that the nicknamed “Caballero del Son” died of multiple organ dysfunction caused by pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
“ The son was his flag, his fight, his success. And he gave his whole life to him. That is why Adalberto lives and will live forever ”, expressed EGREM through Facebook.
The Institute stressed that “by family decision,” Álvarez “will be veiled in an intimate ceremony.” Immediately, the Cuban Foreign Ministry sent its condolences through social networks, where they regretted his departure.
Who was Adalberto Álvarez?
Adalberto Cecilio Álvarez Zayas was a Cuban composer, writer, arranger, singer and pianist, known as the “Caballero del Son” .
With a long discography throughout his career, he had a total of 25 albums with more than 8 songs in each of them, among which are: “My pretty habanera”, “To dance casino”, “El son de Adalberto it sounds Cuban ”.
His music was performed by Juan Luis Guerra, Oscar de Léon, Omara Portuondo, and Isaac Delgado, among other renowned singers.
He was also a conductor and creator of dance hymns such as “A Bayamo en Coche” and “Chivo wants you to give him a candle”.
During his more than four decades of artistic career, Álvarez founded two of the most popular orchestras in the country: “Son 14” (1978) and “ Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son” (1984), and he toured Cuban music through important Latin American stages. , Europe and the United States.
In 1980, the sonero mayor Miguelito Cuní presented the grand prize to Adalberto Álvarez, first place at the Son Festival in Guantánamo.
They also awarded him the “José María Heredia” plaque which is given to Cuban citizens and citizens from other countries who have made significant contributions in favor of Cuban culture, since Adalberto introduced the son, managing to reinsert this dance genre from Cuba.
In 2011 he was nominated for a Latin Grammy in the category of Tropical Music for El Son de Altura.
The artist was recognized because he also defended the right of the Cuban people to demonstrate against the government and demand their freedom.
A member of Parliament between 2013 and 2018, Álvarez was among the country’s popular musicians who expressed their support for the historic anti-government demonstrations last July, which left one dead, dozens injured, and hundreds of detainees.
“I am hurt by the blows and the images I see of violence against people who take to the streets to express what they feel peaceful,” he said then on Facebook. “Beyond political thought is the human right,” he added, referring to the repressive abuses recorded during the outbreak.
Amelia Warner
Amelia Warner writes all the Latest Articles. She mostly covers Entertainment topics, but at times loves to write about movie reviews as well.
