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Alexander Abreu
— Trumpeter, singer, bandleader (1974)
Alexander Abreu, founder and voice of Havana D'Primera: the central figure of contemporary timba, as trumpeter, singer and arranger.
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Benny Moré
— Singer, bandleader (1919–1963)
"El Bárbaro del Ritmo" — the most beloved Cuban popular singer of the 20th century. Benny Moré had an extraordinary natural voice, an impeccable sense of clave,…
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Carlos Embale
— Singer (1923–1997)
The most celebrated guaguancó vocalist of his generation — Carlos Embale was a master of the rumba tradition whose voice defined the sound of Havana's guaguancó…
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Celia Cruz
— Singer (1925–2003)
The undisputed queen of Cuban popular song — Celia Cruz's extraordinary voice, encyclopedic repertoire, and boundless energy made her an icon across guaracha, son,…
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Desi Arnaz
— Singer, actor, producer (1917–1986)
The most famous Cuban entertainer in American popular culture — Desi Arnaz (Desiderio Alberto Arnaz y de Acha III) brought Cuban music into American living rooms…
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Ibrahim Ferrer
— Singer (1927–2005)
A supreme interpreter of Cuban bolero and son — Ibrahim Ferrer spent decades as an overlooked Havana street musician before Ry Cooder found him shining shoes at…
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Isaac Delgado
— Singer, bandleader (1962)
One of the great singers of timba: Isaac Delgado was the lead singer of NG La Banda when timba was born, and then built his own band with Cuba's best jazz musicians.
About
Isaac…
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Machito
— Singer, bandleader (1909–1984)
Founder of Machito and his Afro-Cubans: with Mario Bauzá as musical director, Machito brought Cuban rhythms and big band jazz together in New York, laying the foundation…
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Manolín
— Singer, bandleader (1965)
Manolín, "El Médico de la Salsa" (Manuel González Hernández): one of the most popular timba singers of the 1990s, energetic and straight from the street.
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María Teresa Vera
— Singer, guitarist, composer (1895–1965)
María Teresa Vera (1895–1965), singer, guitarist and composer of the Cuban trova: duo with Rafael Zequeira, Sexteto Occidente and Veinte años.
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Mayito Rivera
— Singer (1966)
Mayito Rivera (1966), singer from Pinar del Río and for twenty years one of the voices of Los Van Van: Voy a publicar tu foto, Un socio, Llévala a tu vacilón.
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Miguelito Valdés
— Singer, bandleader (1912–1978)
The singer who popularized "Babalú" internationally — Miguelito Valdés brought Margarita Lecuona's song to American audiences in the early 1940s, making it a cross-cultural…
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Omara Portuondo
— Singer (1930)
Cuba's great bolero and filin singer: Omara Portuondo started in the 1950s as a dancer and singer in Havana's cabarets, sang in the Cuarteto d'Aida and reached a…
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Paulito FG
— Singer, bandleader (1962–2025)
Paulito FG, "El Sofocador": singer and leader of Paulo FG y su Élite (1992), one of the great names of timba. Live, he steered his band from gear to gear with hand…
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Pedrito Calvo
— Singer (1942)
Pedrito Calvo (1942), singer with Los Van Van from 1974 to 2001: El negro está cocinando, Sandunguera, Que le den candela and later Pedrito Calvo y La Justicia.
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Rita Montaner
— Singer, actress, pianist (1900–1958)
Rita Montaner, "La Única": singer, pianist and actress, one of Cuba's most popular artists from the late 1920s to the 1950s, known for El manisero and Siboney.
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Tito Rodríguez
— Singer, bandleader (1923–1973)
One of the mambo era's three kings — Tito Rodríguez was the most elegant vocalist among the Palladium Ballroom triumvirate, a singer whose phrasing and tone brought…