TRABAJADORES
CULTURA
cultura@trabaja.cip.cu

August 7
Cuba says Good-bye to Ibrahim Ferrer
By: Yuris Nórido

A CubaNews translation by Ana Portela
Edited by Walter Lippmann
<http://www.trabajadores.cubaweb.cu/2005/agosto/07/cultura/despide.htm>

Ibrahim Ferrer, one of the most well-known artists of Cuban traditional music will be buried today at 4:30 pm, in the capital Colón cemetery. The body of the famed singer was accompanied since Sunday, also since the same hour, in the Calzada y K funeral parlor.

Ferrer, 78 years of age, died Saturday after a sudden attack. Recently he had returned from a tour of Europe promoting songs of a record of boleros he was preparing.

Hundreds of persons, family, friends and admirers, paid him tribute in the funeral parlor Sunday afternoon. The death of Ferrer moved many Cuban musicians who counted on him as a fellow performer and true friend.

The human and artistic quality of the deceased interpreter has been highlighted in national and international press, by Chucho Valdés, Juan Formell, José Loyola and other artists

Beyond Cuban borders, Ferrer was remembered by cultural personalities from France, Spain and several American nations.

The main European news media dedicated broad space Reporting on his death emphasizing his artistic career. News broadcasts from Spain and Russia included special reports on his life.

In several Latin American countries, habitual scenarios of his performances, the news occupied front-page space and the editorial boards received testimonies of pain and concern. This was the situation in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Venezuela.

Since his inclusion in the famous group, Buena Vista Social Club, Ferrer became one of the best ambassadors of Cuban music in the world. He gave concerts in America, Europe, Asia and Australia and performed in the most prestigious scenarios such as the famed Carnegie Hall of New York.

His numerous discs included Buenos Hermanos and Buena Vista Social Club presents Ibrahim Ferrer. He won Grammy awards, several gold records and other acknowledgements such as Billboard Latino and the British Mobo Awards.

He was awarded the Félix Varela Order in the First Degree conferred by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba and Réplica del Machete de Máximo Gómez (an award designed around the machete of Máximo Gómez).

BORN TO SING

Music marked since his first day of birth. As the story is told, his mother went into labor in a dance hall in Santiago de Cuba, birthplace of the son. At an early age he demonstrated his preference for traditional music and by 14 he earned a living singing in popular groups. He was a member, or was invited guest, of some of the most prestigious Cuban groups of the forties and fifties: Chepin orchestra, Benny Moré and Pacho Alonso bands.

Ibrahim Ferrer always topped the list of good Cuban son singers although his repertoire included other styles, specially the bolero.

During the eighties and, in spite of his important career, he left the stage and was not involved in any musical project until years later when he made his comeback with the Afro Cuban All Stars and took part in the famous record Buena Vista Social Club.

It was a rebirth. With other great figures of traditional Cuban music - some, like him, more or less retired - traveled the world with anthological songs of national repertoire. Later, records would come; he would form his own group and visit unexpected plazas of the media in the world.

He was captivating everywhere. He had a peculiar, beautiful, warm and melodious voice with an interpretive style all his own. But, what was more noteworthy was his charisma, the energy he unleashed on stage, his natural elegance, his inspired delivery in each theme.

The great capitals of the world cheered him but he continued to be the same Cuban, a good smiling man with his trademark cap. This is how Cuba will say good-bye and remember him.