Ibrahim Ferrer
Career
Ferrer was born on February 20, 1927 in Santiago de Cuba in a nightclub. He came as a child out of wedlock, his mother was Aurelia Ferrer. She died when he was twelve. Since his father was at this time also already dead, he had to earn his living as an orphan with no siblings from that date itself. Part-time jobs as a shoeshine boy and newspaper seller, he also worked as a street musician. A year later he founded with his cousin the formation " Jóvenes del Son ".
In the following years he played in many groups and soon became known nationwide. From 1953 he played in Pacho Alonso Orchestra and went with this 1959 in the capital of Havana. In 1991, he finished his career first.
It was not until 1996 when Ry Cooder him and other Cuban musicians such as Compay Segundo, Rubén González and asked to make a record with him to Ferrer again devoted to the music. He reported that Juan de Marcos suddenly stood outside his door, it was dirty as from cleaning shoes, took to the studio, where Rubén González on the piano the song " Candela " alluded to Ferrer had made popular in Cuba. Ferrer began to sing along and Cooder then asked him to record this song.
Produced by Cooder 1997 album " Buena Vista Social Club" was recognized in 1998 with the Grammy. The final global breakthrough came with Wim Wenders' documentary Buena Vista Social Club in 1999 on the musicians and their success.
His solo album "A Toda Cuba le Gusta " received a Grammy nomination. 2004 finally he received for his album " Buenos Hermanos " Grammy in the category " Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album". In 2000 he was awarded the Latino Grammy in the category " Best New Artist ".
Ferrer died shortly after returning from a European tour on August 6, 2005 in a hospital in Havana and was buried on August 8 in the cemetery Cementerio Cristóbal Colón in Havana, he is said to have suffered for some time from emphysema. He left behind his wife Caridad Díaz.
On 1 December 2010 gave "Buena Vista Social Club" headed by an honorary Ry Cooder Concert ( "Concert for Ibrahim Ferrer " ) in Valencia (Spain). About 1,500 spectators were invited and celebrated the Buena Vista Social Club for the last time.