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Compay Segundo The Eternal Patriarch of Cuban Son

Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz better known as Compay Segundo (1907-2003) The voice that conquered the world in the nineties.

Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz, globally known as Compay Segundo, is one of the most emblematic and essential figures in traditional Cuban music.

Born on November 18, 1907, in Siboney, Santiago de Cuba, his life was a dedication to music that culminated in a late, but well-deserved, global fame before his passing in Havana on July 13, 2003.

Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz, known worldwide as Compay Segundo

Origins and Musical Training

Compay Segundo was raised in a highly musical and manual environment. His father, Máximo Repilado, was a bricklayer and a great lover of traditional santiaguera music, while his mother, Caridad Muñoz, provided a strong cultural influence.

Coming from a large family, his brother Lorenzo Repilado was also an active figure in the Santiago music scene.

His beginnings were typical for the era. Compay started his career as a clarinetist in the Santiago Municipal Band, consolidating his training by later joining the Army Band. In the 1930s, he migrated to Havana, a crucial step that fully integrated him into the capital’s professional circuit.

Compay Segundo se crio en un ambiente musical y manual

Los Compadres and the Birth of the Name

The stage that would give him his artistic name and national fame was the formation of the Dúo Los Compadres in the 1940s alongside Lorenzo Hierrezuelo.

The Nickname: The name “Compay Segundo” (Second Compadre) arose because Máximo Repilado always sang the low harmonic or “second” voice (segundo) in the song, while Hierrezuelo performed the main voice. Hence, the affectionate Cuban diminutive “Compay” (short for compadre) plus “Segundo” (Second).
National Success: The duo became a sensation throughout Cuba, leaving behind unforgettable classics of son oriental such as “Macusa,” “Mi Son Orientál,” and the early version of what would become his most famous song: “Chan Chan.”

Compay created the armónico, a hybrid between a Spanish guitar and a Cuban tres, with 7 strings

The Armónico: His Instrumental Contribution

One of Compay’s most unique contributions was the invention of the “armónico,” an instrument he designed himself. It is a seven-string hybrid, halfway between the traditional Spanish guitar and the Cuban tres. This instrument allowed him to simultaneously execute bass lines, harmony, and melody, creating a unique sound that became the foundation of his style.

The Buena Vista Social Club Phenomenon

When it seemed Compay’s career was waning, destiny reserved the most glorious stage for him. In 1997, at the age of 90, he was invited by American musician Ry Cooder to participate in the recording of the album “Buena Vista Social Club.”

Global Fame: The success of the album and the subsequent documentary directed by Wim Wenders catapulted him to worldwide fame.
The Anthem: His unmistakable voice and the magical rendition of the song “Chan Chan” turned him into an international superstar, leading him to perform on the world’s most prestigious stages and bringing Cuban son to audiences of all ages.

Legacy and Family Continuity

Compay Segundo left behind a repertoire of songs considered national treasures. His most prominent tracks include “Chan Chan,” “Sarandonga,” “Las Flores de la Vida,” “Orgullecida,” and the popular bolero “Veinte Años,” which he popularized.

Compay was a father to at least nine children. His musical legacy not only lives on through his recordings but also through the activity of his descendants:

Basilio Repilado (1954–2012): Founder and arranger of the Grupo Compay Segundo.
Salvador Repilado: Upright bass player and current director of the Grupo Compay Segundo, the official international touring ensemble.

Furthermore, the younger generations (grandchildren and great-grandchildren) such as Yohel, Alejandro, and Yurisley Repilado continue the tradition in Havana with the ensemble “Los Herederos de Compay Segundo” (The Heirs of Compay Segundo), ensuring that the unmistakable sound of the Patriarch of Cuban Son continues to resonate in Cuba and the world.

Collaboration:

Sr. Eduardo Guilarte

Also Read: Son Cubano is one of the most popular musical styles in Cuba and Kiki Valera is one of its leading exponents

Cristobal Verdecia and his quartet Son Qba in Miami

As we all know, Cuba is an endless source of talent and never tires of proving it. Today, we are really honored to be able to talk to one of its greatest exponents in the city of Miami and it is arranger, producer, bandleader, and bassist Cristóbal Verdecia, who very kindly agreed to talk to us for a few minutes about his life and career both in Cuba and in the United States, his home for more than 10 years.

Cristobal with his basses — Cristobal Verdecia with his two basses

Cristóbal’s beginnings and inspirations for entering the world of music

The first reference that Cristobal had at a musical level was his uncle Israel “Kantor” Sardiñas, who was the vocalist, bassist, and pianist for the legendary band Los Van Van. The artist always wanted his nephew to learn to play instruments, more specifically the piano, but Cristóbal had other hobbies at the time and did not pay much attention to him. Then, in 1982, Sardiñas packed suitcases and left Cuba in search of better opportunities, but not before leaving his piano, bass, and guitar to the young Cristóbal to use them in his place.

It was then that he finally became truly interested in music, and the instrument that most caught his attention at the time was the bass. Seeing this sudden love for the instrument, Cristóbal’s father decided to enroll him in the Guillermo Tomás Music Conservatory when he was about 10 years old. He greatly improved his skills with the bass and began playing with local jazz bands, but his academic training was not yet complete.

Some time later, he enrolled at the Ignacio Cervantes Conservatory, where his teachers, in his own words, were two of the best bassists to come from Cuba: Silvio Vergara, now deceased, and Carlos Del Puerto. At this institution, he studied electric bass and double bass.

From there, Cristóbal began playing with increasingly prestigious bands such as Pachito Alonso y Su Kini Kini, Paulo FG y Su Élite, Adalberto Álvarez y Su Son, Havana D’Primera, among many others. Being with Pachito, he had the opportunity to share with artists of the stature of Roberto Hernández “Robertón” (current Los Van Van singer), “El Lele,” the Mengual twins, among others. It was Robertón who gave him some advice about how to improve the quality and raise the level of his work.

Cristobal and his uncle — Cristobal Verdecia and his uncle Israel “Kantor” Sardiñas

In the case of Paulo G Y Su Élite, he had the opportunity to serve as musical director for about five years in the band, which provided great learning for the future.

Subsequently, Alexander Abreu, director of Havana D’Primera, had the idea of forming his own band with the best musicians in Cuba and that each musician had a substitute. That was where Cristóbal joined and became part of the first album, “Haciendo Historias.”

Move to the United States

When Cristóbal made the decision to leave Cuba, the first country he visited was Mexico, where he spent about four years and also played with many other bands. However, the idea of forming his own project was already on his mind for some time.

When he finally turned this idea into reality, the artist and his band accompanied singers who arrived alone, which provided him the expertise to face the future professional challenges that awaited him.

Julio Cesar, Cristobal, Marciano, and Franklin — Guitarist Julio Cesar rodriguez, bassist Cristobal Verdecia, percussionist Marciano Hernandez and tresero Franklin Reytor

Once his cycle in Mexico concluded, he moved to Miami in 2012 to continue growing in music, as he believed that the city offered him an opportunity that his previous country of residence did not. One of the first things he wanted to do was to revive his quartet Son Qba, which he had started in Mexico, but he was advised to take the time to learn how everything worked there first and then follow the path he wished.

This is how Cristóbal also managed to play with several local artists and bands to understand the dynamics of the place, such as Tony Succar, Issac Delgado, Timbalive, Aymée Nuviola, Grupo Niche, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Albita Rodríguez, Buena Vista All Stars, among others. All this path traveled finally led him to be able to resume Son Qba with the full works in 2019.

Today, Son Qba consists of our guest Cristóbal Verdecia, tresero Franklin Reytor, percussionist Marciano Hernández, singer and guitarist Julio César Rodríguez, and singer José “Pepito” Gómez.

70th Anniversary of the Sonora Ponceña at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum

Major guests joined the historic Sonora Ponceña concert, which was held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico, to mark the 70th anniversary of the musical career of one of the most important orchestras in the salsa scene.

The concert kicked off with a performance by the virtuoso timbalero, singer, and orchestra director Manolito Rodríguez. His orchestra, La Zónika, set the venue on fire with refreshing versions of ‘Encántigo’, ‘Sin tu cariño’ (Without Your Love), ‘Nina’, ‘Antillana’, ‘Maestro de rumberos’ (Master of Rumba Dancers), and ‘Piano man’. It’s worth noting that Manolito was part of “La Ponceña” from 2004 until the end of 2007.

Once La Zónica had warmed up the coliseum stage, the Sonora Ponceña began to deliver its repertoire, which included ‘Prende el fogón’ (Light the Stove), ‘Ñáñara cai’, ‘Ramona’, ‘Boranda’, ‘El rincón caliente’ (The Hot Corner), ‘Tumba Mabó’, and ‘Las mujeres son de azúcar’ (Women Are Made of Sugar) sung by Daniel Dávila; ‘Como amantes’ (Like Lovers), ‘Como te quise yo’ (How I Loved You), ‘Sigo pensando en ti’ (I Keep Thinking of You), ‘Timbalero’—which allowed the timbal player to dedicate himself to the instrument with a spectacular solo, ‘Fuego en el 23’ (Fire in ‘23), and ‘Luz negra’ (Black Light) performed by Darvel García. In fact, shortly after Darvel performed ‘Como amantes’, he was in charge of welcoming the pianist, composer, arranger, and director of the Sonora Ponceña, Papo Lucca, who enjoyed the concert from the stage in a wheelchair.

Omar Ledée, uno de los invitados de la Sonora Ponceña Foto By Conrado Pastrano

The rotation of the repertoire allowed for a dynamic interspersing of performances by the guests whom the concert production granted access to the celebration.

With 90 years of sabor (flavor/soul) and salsa, Luigui Texidor, who left the Sonora Ponceña in 1973, returned smiling and grateful. Texidor, who recently received the welcomed honor of seeing his name mark the street leading to Colonia Las Flores in Santa Isabel, his hometown, sang ‘El pío pío’, ‘Bomba carambomba’, and ‘Noche como boca de lobo’ (Night Like a Wolf’s Mouth / Pitch-Black Night).

Sharing that same celebratory vibe, one of the most remembered voices of “Los gigantes del sur” (The Giants of the South), Yolanda Rivera, who was part of “La Ponceña” until 1982, was heard. Rivera proudly recalled her seven years as a member of the orchestra while thanking the invitation to the historic concert, where she performed ‘Hasta que se rompa el cuero’ (Until the Skin Breaks), a track that featured a powerful bongo solo.

Omar Ledée performed ‘Remembranzas’ (Remembrances), originally recorded in the voice of his father, the late and ever-remembered Toñito Ledée, whom Omar represented in a heartfelt posthumous tribute.

Another fan favorite of the Sonora Ponceña followers is Pichie Pérez, who joined the group in 1983 “in substitution of Miguelito and Yolanda.” The singer performed ‘Te vas de mí’ (You Leave Me) and the updated version of an emblematic track, which for the celebration was titled ‘Jubileo ‘70’ (Jubilee ‘70), and which Pichie himself describes as “one of ‘La Ponceña’s’ iconic tracks and the first unreleased track I recorded.” The vocalist was associated with the orchestra for three decades, from 1983 to 2013. Since his departure, he has been promoting his solo career, making this the first time in 12 years he was heard live with his “alma mater” orchestra.

Orquesta La Zónika de Manolito Rodríguez, abriendo el espectáculo Foto By Conrado Pastrano

Wito Colón, who left the Sonora Ponceña 15 years ago, arrived ready to sing ‘Hachero pa’ un palo’, ‘Vas por ahí’ (You Go Around), ‘Yaré’, ‘Yambeque’which interspersed a powerful tumbadora (conga) solo, and ‘Sola Vaya’ (Go Alone), the latter song performed with Daniel Dávila and Darvel García. The vocalist was hailed by concertgoers as “the champion of the night” for his vocal power, as well as his charisma before the ardent audience.

Undoubtedly, it was an unforgettable night.

Also Read: Bella Martinez, the irreverent Salsa writer

Carlos “Cano” Estremera was a legendary Puerto Rican salsa singer, widely known as “El Dueño del Soneo” (The Owner of Soneo)

Why “El Dueño del Soneo”?

He earned this nickname due to his extraordinary and almost unbeatable ability for soneo, which is the part of a salsa song where the vocalist has the freedom to improvise lyrics, phrases, and rhymes over the musical base, elevating the track’s energy and the connection with the audience.

Cano Estremera was famous for his quick wit, rapid rhyming, and extensive vocabulary, qualities that established him as one of the greatest soneros in history, often compared to figures like Ismael Rivera and Héctor Lavoe.

He started in Latin percussion and also with the group Barrio Latino, then he was with Los Pleneros del Quinto Olivo, and later, at the young age of 18, he joined La Orquesta Mulenze, with whom he recorded the track “Mala Lengua” in 1976. The voice that replaced Cano Estremera in Orquesta Mulenze was the great Pedro Brull, who recounts that he had to thoroughly study Cano Estremera’s style to join Edwin Mulenze’s orchestra.

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest successes in Cano Estremera’s career was accepting, in 1978, the invitation to be the lead singer of maestro Bobby Valentín’s orchestra, “El Rey del Bajo” (The King of the Bass).

His first song recorded with Bobby Valentín’s orchestra was the iconic track “La Boda de Ella” (Her Wedding), by the Puerto Rican composer Roberto Angleró, with no suspicion that it would soon become one of the essential elements of Puerto Rican popular culture.

Cano Estremera was famous for his mental agility

Cano Estremera was a unique sonero. He was an artist with an identity and immense talent that was very distinct from the normal or commercial. He established his style from the very first day he became known. There was no style in the genre like “El Cano’s.”

Bobby Valentín was always looking for sound and voices, and Luigi Texidor was leaving the group, and that’s when “Cano” joined with a very different talent.

‘Bobby Valentín Presenta al Cano Estremera’ turns 40.

Cano Estremera’s first solo album, accompanied by Valentín’s orchestra. Produced by ‘El Rey del Bajo’ (The King of the Bass) and released by the Bronco Records label (BR-124) on Thursday, October 7, 1982. It includes the hits: Por qué Me Citas, Buen Corazón, El Caimán, Awilda, Casa En El Campo, etc.

'Bobby Valentín Presents Cano Estremera 1984 — ‘Bobby Valentín Presents Cano Estremera 1984

When he decided to go his own way as a solo singer, Cano Estremera did not have the support of the salsa industry’s machinery at the time. Despite this, with hard work and talent, Cano Estremera decided to fight alone with his music, personally producing everything from his album covers, musical arrangements, tours, and even the distribution of his musical works.

He was always a defender and fiercely protective of the genre. His style and demeanor were always controversial, and that was the magic that captivated his audience throughout his long career—always entertaining, creative, melodious, and above all, prodigious when he stepped onto a stage.

Solo Career: He separated from Bobby Valentín at the end of 1984 to form his own orchestra, further consolidating his career and his title with albums like “Dueño del Soneo”.

Death: He died on October 28, 2020, at the age of 62, after years of health problems related to pulmonary fibrosis, for which he received a double lung transplant in 2018.

Also Read: The owner of the Soneo’s solo career Cano Estremera

Luis Conte: The Cuban-American percussionist who fuses Cuban son with global music

Luis Conte is a renowned Cuban-American percussionist who has left an indelible mark on the music industry. His talent and versatility have led him to collaborate with an impressive list of world-class artists.

Luis Conte, the percussionist who fuses Cuban son with global music.

Born in Santiago de Cuba, Conte emigrated to Los Angeles in 1967. Throughout his career, he has been honored multiple times as “Percussionist of the Year” by specialized magazines like Modern Drummer and Drum Magazine.

Luis Conte has been the percussionist for some of the biggest names in commercial music, including James Taylor, Phil Collins, Jackson Browne, Madonna, Sergio Mendes, Ray Charles, Pat Metheny, Beck, Shakira, Sade, and Herb Alpert.

In this first HD-Audio Latin recording, his talent, along with that of pianist David Garfield and the recently deceased bassist Dave Carpenter, comes to life through the magic of 96 kHz/24-bit, 5.1 channel surround sound. The music is mixed to maximize individual musical lines and timbres. Bob Stuart, the founder and chairman of Meridian Audio, described the sound as “incredible,” adding that it was one of the best recordings he had ever heard.

The difference lies in the use of new technology, strict adherence to signal purity, and a willingness to experiment with instrument placement. Finally, you have the opportunity to hear authentic HD-Audio with performers who know how to create wonderful music.

Being a percussionist is like being a geographer. These instruments come from all over the world: Africa, Brazil, Colombia, the Middle East. I try to cover everything.

Luis spent the first 15 years of his life absorbing the rich musical heritage of son and carnaval. “Life in Cuba is about enjoying it, and music is fundamental to that lifestyle,” says Luis. “Music is almost like food for Cubans.” Immersed in the music of his native Cuba, Luis also developed a passion for rock & roll, R&B soul, jazz, and The Beatles.

At age 15, in search of freedom, Luis emigrated to Madrid, Spain. He soon had another opportunity to travel, this time to Hollywood. In California, Luis stayed with a cousin and attended Hollywood High School, where he played guitar in numerous rock bands during his teenage years.

After high school, Luis met John Monteallegre, who reconnected him with Cuban drumming at L.A. City College. By age 18, Luis had a strong interest in drumming and took every opportunity to play and learn, drawing inspiration from a deep well of rhythm he absorbed during his youth in Cuba.

David Garfield’s mission is “I make music.” And “make music” is what he does, as a world-renowned keyboardist, producer, and composer. Whether it’s jazz, rock, funk, or world beat, he is the creative force behind the production of numerous internationally acclaimed recordings.

Conte is a renowned Cuban-American percussionist

After studying music at Ohio State University, the late Dave Carpenter started his professional career playing with three jazz giants: Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson, and Woody Herman. More recently, Carpenter was part of drummer Peter Erskine’s trio, which also included pianist Alan Pasqua. A veteran of the Woody Herman and Bill Holman big bands, he also worked with Bill Perkins, Jack Nimitz, Herb Geller, Herbie Hancock, Jack Sheldon, Al Jarreau, Bill Cunliffe, Jan Lundgren, Terry Gibbs, Buddy DeFranco, and Richard Stoltzman, among others.

As sought-after in Los Angeles studios as he was in clubs, Carpenter has an extensive list of recording credits. He participated in more than 200 recordings and composed dozens of themes and scores for television and film.

Sadly, Dave passed away from a heart attack in June 2008. The music world lost a truly wonderful musician and person. The premium DVD-Audio/Video discs from AIX Records are two-sided: one side is an interactive DVD-Video disc, and the other is a DVD-Audio disc (which requires DVD-Audio compatible equipment for playback).

The sound of this recording brings these incredible instrumentalists into your listening space. The HD audio surround mixes immerse you in the musical interplay with a full-range frequency and dynamic response. Discover how good Latin jazz can sound! When I’m asked at trade shows what my favorite discs are, I always include The Latin Jazz Trio.

Dave Carpenter, Luis Conte & David Garfield – The Latin Jazz Trio (2002-R2018)

Tracks:

Luisongo
Doña Olga
Memories Of Rio
Mujaka
Song For My Father
Future Generations
Pools
Rumba Del Cielo
Kumbisa / Cuba

Musicians:

Dave Carpenter (Bass)
Luis Conte (Percussion)
David Garfield (Piano)

Recorded at the Zipper Auditorium at The Colburn School of Performing Arts, 2000.

By: L’Òstia Latin Jazz

Dj. Augusto Felibertt

Also Read: Israel “Cachao” López, a Cuban musician and composer, has been hailed as “the Inventor of Mambo”