Virgilio Martí, born in 1919 in Havana, Cuba.
Fine Rumbero, Singer, Composer, Arranger, Percussionist, Actor and Orchestra Director well known since the late 40’s, especially as a guaguancó singer.
He began touring the world in 1949 and met his later wife in 1960 in Peru.
That same year, he settled in New York, participating in the local scene. He participated in the LP “Patato y Totico” in 1967, he also participated with his brother Eloy Martí in a Quintet accompanied by Gene Golden for the year 1979.
Israel López (Cachao), Arsenio Rodríguez, Héctor Cadavieco, Francisco Valdés, Papaíto, Tony Mayari and Mario Cadavieco also worked on that album.
He participated in the “Grupo Folklórico Experimental Newyorkino” where he was their vocalist and percussionist in 1975. During his stay with them, he composed the song “Cuba Linda”.
Another work of Martí of great remembrance is the album titled: “Saludando A Los Rumberos” published by the Caimán label in the early 80’s and in which the Cuban acts as vocalist and main star.
In it Martí is involved with talents such as: Tony Cofresí, Andy and Jerry González, Yomo Toro, Paquito Pastor, Ray Romero, Claudio Roditti and Ignacio Berroa, among others.
“Iya Modapue” is in itself a guaguancó with open rumba, being at the same time the favorite number of the ‘Grupo Folklórico’, and even the first groove to be recorded.
The levels of experimentation and the freedom to unload several rhythms in a single musical performance are the factors producing the attraction of the musicians for “Iya Modupue” (which means Thank You Mother).
The vocal part is in the hands of Virgilio Martí. The trumpet of “Chocolate” Armenteros, the trombones of José Rodríguez and Reinaldo Jorge, the flute of Gonzalo Fernández and the percussion of Frankie Rodríguez stand out.
“Se Me Olvidó” a bolero by Lolita de la Colina but adapted in guaguancó to the style of the Grupo Folklórico, which, by the way, turned out to be the piece of greatest radio diffusion in the tropical environment and therefore, the one that would open the doors to the group.
The song was interpreted by Virgilio Martí, who also plays the congas. In “Se Me Olvidó”, the violin of Cuban Alfredo de la Fe, the quinto of Julito Collazo, the street redoblante of Jerry González and a Mexican marimba played by Andy González in counterpoint to the notes of the double bass, also played by Andy, stand out. Here it is worth mentioning that Alfredo de la Fe is a virtuoso violinist and among his many performances, I remember his work with Eddie Palmieri, Larry Harlow (the wonderful Jew), the Fania All-Stars and the avant-garde Típica 73.
In the early 80’s he formed a band with brothers Andy and Jerry González, and percussionist Ignacio Berroa.
It is worth mentioning Virgilio Martí’s 1985 performance in the film by Cuban filmmaker León Ichaso entitled “Crossover Dreams” (Sueños truncados).
In it, the Havana native plays the role of “Cheo Babalú” and vocalizes the song “Llora Timbero”.
In that film production made in New York City, he also participates with actor Rubén Blades, who plays the role of “Rudy Veloz”, where they sing the song “Todos Vuelven”.
In 1990, he contributed to the “Soundtrack” of the movie Azucar Amarga.
He maintained a great skill in converting songs from other genres into rumba arrangements.
We can mention the adaptation of the theme of the Brazilian composer Jorge Ben, “Más Que Nada” in which he appears on the LP with Patato and Totico.
Martí died on October 17, 1995.
Virgilio Marti – Guaguanco (1979)
Tracks:
- Amanecer (Armando Manzanero)
- Todos vuelven (Rafael Otero)
- A tus pies (D.R.) (Agustin Lara)
- My childhood (Laureano Martinez)
- Saluting the rumberos (Manolo Albo)
- I’m going to divide it (R. Livi)
- Acanapon (D.R.)
- The little handkerchief (D.R.)
- Que susto (Virgilio Marti)
- Odiame (Rafael Otero)
Information realized (June 1, 2024)
Also Read: Carlos “Nene” Quintero comes from a family of musical prodigies
Contributor: Dj. Augusto Felibertt (International Salsa Magazine)
