He was born in the Havana City neighborhood of Santo Suárez, in May 11th, 1925 and died in February 8th, 2005. At the age of 13 he began singing in the saints’festivities, and constantly travelled to Matanzas, where the most respected temples began to identify the voice of who have become the greatest akpwon (singer) of lucumi and arara music of Cuba.
In 1949 he began performing in folkloric music program Cadena Azul radio station. Ten yers later he joined the group which staged -for the first time- an Afro Cuban show in the Covarrubias Hall at the National Theatre. He is one of the settlers of the National Folkloric Ensemble, touring the world with it. Reputed Cuban researchers like: Argeliers León, Miguel Barnet, Isaac Barreal, Alberto Pedro and Rogelio MartÃnez Furé, were nurtured from his endless knowledge.
He has worked with the National Ballet of Cuba and the Symphonic Orchestra of Matanzas, as well as in the film "MarÃa Antonia" directed by Sergio Giral. He is author of the theatre plays: El AlafÃn de Oyó and Arará. He has worked as professor of the National School of Arts (ENA), Higher Studis Arts Institute (ISA) and FolkCuba. In his numerous international tours he recorded folk music for radio and television from Belgium, Algeria and Spain, for discographic collection Chant du Monde, in France, and BBC Network, from London. Undoubtedly, his most outstanding work is ready to be finished: the CD collection Orisha Ayé on yoruba chants.
Awarded by the Fernando Ortiz Foundation, nominated three times to Latin Grammies by his CDs Yemayá (1999), Oshún (2001) and Shangó (2002).