Amoeba Music

By J Poet

Cuban singer, guitarist and songwriter Guillermo Portabales who helped transform the guajira, a folkloric rhythm associated with poor working class farmers and peasants into a high art form. His melancholy, but highly poetic lyrics and splendid guitar work made him a favorite throughout Latin America and Africa. His style, la guajira de salon, was as European as it was Cuban, with a great level of musical and lyrical sophistication. His music is still popular especially in West Africa; bands like Africando, Etoile 2000 and Orchestra Baobab have all covered his famous composition “El Carretero.”

José Guillermo Quesada del Castillo was born in 1911. When his father died, his mother married Andrés... Read More

City Of Origin:

Rodas, Las Villas, Cuba

Genre:

World

Birthdate:

04/06/1911

Death date:

10/25/1970