Adalberto Cecilio Álvarez Zayas

Composer, arranger and orchestra conductor Adalberto Álvarez is undoubtedly the quintessential Cuban son musician. Possessor of a highly personal and unmistakable harmonic and melodic style, "The Gentleman of Son," a title he earned through anthological innovations and contributions made to this traditional and contemporary genre, he is currently the most covered Cuban son musician in the Latin sphere in the last 40 years.

Among the principal contributions made by Adalberto is having given the contemporary air that Son needed, thereby managing to reinsert it from Cuba into the atmosphere and sonority of Salsa toward the universal.

Son of Rosa Margarita Zayas and Enrique Fortunato, he had his first musical successes from the early age of 3 years in Camagüey.

Pianist, composer, arranger and orchestra conductor Adalberto Alvarez is undoubtedly the quintessential Cuban son musician. Possessor of a highly personal and unmistakable harmonic and melodic style "The Gentleman of Son," a title he earned through anthological innovations and contributions made to this traditional and contemporary genre, he is currently the most covered Cuban son musician in the Latin sphere in the last 30 years.

In 1978 he founded "Son 14" orchestra which became a landmark among those already existing in Cuba and in which he showed a different musical concept, since without renouncing the roots of Son, he renewed it through texts, orchestrations and contemporary harmonies. Later in 1984 he decided to form "Adalberto Alvarez y su Son," an orchestra in which, in addition to maintaining his primacy in the genre, he took on the challenge of creating new harmonic and rhythmic changes that faithfully respond to the dancer. The cadence achieved in that stage with his music was also distinguished by dancers from other latitudes.

The themes created by Adalberto appear in the repertoire and discography of Papo Lucca, Oscar D' León, Roberto Roena, Willy Rosario, Andy Montañés, Ismael Quintana, Juan Luis Guerra y la 440, Eddie Palmieri and Gilberto Santa Rosa among other prominent salsa musicians, who have recognized his talent as a composer.

The above is only a sample of what Adalberto Alvarez means as a composer; however, interesting events with the public also occur in his live presentations, such as the concert held in April 2002 at the Palais de Congrès in Paris where "The Gentleman of Son" invited the legendary Compay Segundo and the success obtained was witnessed by more than 4000 people who attended and sang along to Adalberto's Son.

In 2003, maestro Adalberto Alvarez reached his 55 years of existence, 30 of artistic life and 25 since the recording of the theme that made him known internationally as a composer, "A Bayamo en coche." In the midst of these celebrations and with the joy of having received the Special Prize of Cubadisco 2003, Adalberto presented in the Rosado Saloon of La Tropical his compact disc recorded for the Bis Music label "Para Bailar Casino," which had as its main objective to rescue couple dancing.

It is also the theme "Para Bailar Casino" that served as motivation for the television program that that summer featured orchestras and Casino Wheels live.

Simultaneously, "The Gentleman of Son" presided in 2003 over the Organizing Committee of the First International Meeting of Casino Wheels, which took place at Plaza XIV Festival in Matanzas and in Varadero, between August 8 and 11, with the participation of dancers from all continents.

The Cuban Institute of Music, Havanatur and the CIMEX Corporation sponsored this event, which promoted this dance-choreographic style that emerged spontaneously in the late 1940s in Cuba among dancers who frequented the then Casino Deportivo. Today this dance style is known throughout the entire world.

In 2004, Adalberto began an international tour where he performed 15 concerts that covered stages in Italy, Germany, Holland, Austria, France and Switzerland. On that tour, The Gentleman of Son and his musicians had the opportunity to test their strength against an audience knowledgeable of Cuban music, which followed him at each concert, dancing and singing along to the songs on his latest CD, which achieved great acceptance in the market, and above all, served to demonstrate that his work continues to captivate Europeans and that his career continues with very special development.

Following that success, Adalberto presented himself at Festivalísimo, an event in Canada dedicated to Cuba in which not only Cuban musicians participated but also visual artists and where a sample of Cuban cinema was offered.

Adalberto performed at Club Soda in Montreal and promoted the album Para Bailar Casino which by that date had sold more than six thousand copies. For that concert he put together a repertoire made up of the most representative themes of his group which, precisely, was celebrating its 20th Anniversary that year.

In the summer of 2004 and as part of a new international tour, Adalberto held important concerts in several European countries including Italy, Portugal, Greece, France, Hungary, Spain and Germany, for which the maestro son musician had the opportunity to share the stage with artists of the caliber of Changuito and the renowned Tata Güines.

Maestro Adalberto, in addition to putting together a luxury repertoire for the occasion, continued promoting his latest album and upon his return to Cuba, joined an international project of which he is Honorary President, we refer to the Matamoros Son Festival, which was held from October 19-25 in Santiago de Cuba, and which had among its principal objectives maintaining Son in force, paying tribute to great musicians of the genre and encouraging Casino dancing in Cuba and several countries of the world.

At this Festival Adalberto Alvarez received the "José María Heredia" Recognition Plaque which is granted to Cuban citizens and citizens of other countries or institutions that have made significant contributions in favor of Cuban culture.

In 2005 Adalberto began with an international tour performing important concerts on stages in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark, where he also received in the city of Teramo, Italy, a massive recognition in the presence of nearly a thousand admirers who came to hear him and dance to his songs at the "Ultraviolet" Discotheque in that city, a venue chosen by the Cultural Association "CUBA SHOW" (Italian-Cuban), an institution that recognized his work and gave him a plaque that demonstrates the gratitude of those who appreciate his rising and professional career as a cultivator of son. This plaque was presented by Rubén Pino, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Italy, in charge of Cultural Affairs.

After that tour, Adalberto left for Canada with his orchestra in February, where important concerts awaited him and where critics noted, "Having the opportunity to see a musician of the stature of Adalberto with his entire band in a club is an imposing experience. It's like seeing the Rolling Stones at the Palais Royale."

Nevertheless, after a short stay in our country, between tour and tour, Adalberto, once again demonstrating his title of Gentleman, attended La Tropical to record the program Para bailar Casino, where for the first time international Casino wheels were presented.

It is also in this year but in May that Adalberto records the album "Mi linda habanera," dedicated to Havana; in this album which contains 8 themes, "Adalberto Álvarez y su Son," shows us his wisdom in choosing not only the themes but also the guests and arrangers, achieving a result that undoubtedly responds to the authenticity of the seal his orchestra possesses.

To the above is added the creation of the Casino Festival project that will be held in 2006 in Adalberto's native province and that promises to achieve objectives of national and international participation.

On the other hand, Adalberto Álvarez y su Son, in addition to fulfilling several international commitments that took them again to several European countries in the summer of 2005, also made a video clip and presented themselves on various stages in Mexico.

With a professional career that spans international tours through the United States, Japan, Denmark, France, Holland, Germany, England, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador to name just a few, Adalberto Alvarez continues at present making sons for dancers with the same force with which he has created several hits and with the enthusiasm with which he has recorded more than 20 albums that are already classics in Cuban musical history.

Winner of several national and international awards, recognized by his people and admired in several countries, Adalberto Alvarez continues to be that "Gentleman" who thanks to his talent one day bet on Cuban popular music and to the pride of all managed to win the popularity of his people, who upon hearing the first chords of each of his themes thanks him in the manner of a dancer for his fruitful and wonderful existence.

1957 He joins the "Avance Juvenil" Orchestra, which was directed by his father.
1961 He joins the Conrado Benítez Literacy Campaign. He was only 13 years old.
1962 One of his childhood dreams was to be a pilot so he enrolls in the Civil Aeronautics Technology Institute to become a pilot. That same year he left Aviation to enroll in the Carlos Marx School (secondary school).
1964 and 1965 By these years and in the previous one he had already experienced some attraction to music by joining as a singer in an amateur group called Combo Caribe in Camagüey.
1966 He began studies of bassoon at the National School of Art (ENA) thanks to his talent and the collaboration provided by professor Alicia Perea.
1967 He begins directing the typical orchestra of the school during 8 years. In this stage he nourishes his learning and experiences from teachers of national scope, recognized in the world: Benny Moré, Miguelito Cuní and Félix Chapotín.
Joseíto González, director of the Rumbavana orchestra, hears one of his works and requests it, thus the ensemble added several of his works to its repertoire. The first premiere was "Con un besito mi amor," later "El son de Adalberto" was a great success, in addition to others, these being his first works on the radio.

1972 Finishing his studies at the National School of Art he returns to Camagüey.
1978 "Son 14" is born, since the composer and eastern promoter Rodulfo Vaillant proposed to Adalberto Álvarez to form an orchestra, and he didn't think twice and left for Santiago de Cuba. This orchestra had great acceptance with the public, presenting itself in countless concerts and international tours and participation in the II Caribbean Music Festival in Colombia. He directed this orchestra for 5 years.
1979 He records the first album "Son 14," titled "A Bayamo en Coche" with the EGREM label, counting also that the musical production of said LP was by maestro Frank Fernández, who discovered him in Santiago de Cuba and proposed that he come record in Havana, becoming the producer of his first 6 albums, thus a great friendship was born between them.
1980 The senior son musician Miguelito Cuní presents the great prize to Adalberto Álvarez, first place in the Son Festival in Guantánamo.
1981 Recording of the Second Album of "Son 14," titled "Son como Son."
1984 On February 25 his second group comes to light whose name comes from "Son de Adalberto"
1985-1988 He continues touring around the world with his orchestra.
1989 He joins the Pancho Amat orchestra (Tresero).
1997 He signs a contract with the European label Milan Music.
1999 He makes a promotional tour through the United States of America, Iberoamerica and Europe. In the United States he promoted his album "Jugando con Candela." The specialized magazine Music Magazine, published in Japan, selected as first place the best Latin Music album, the album titled "Sueño de una Gitana" by Adalberto Álvarez.
In Venezuela they gave Adalberto the nickname "The Gentleman of Son."

2001 He makes important changes to his group, introducing 3 singers, with whom he presented at the Son Festival in Santiago de Cuba, and he was Honorary President of this event.
2004 He performs a tour through several European countries in the months of January and February where he promotes his album Para Bailar Casino.
In the framework of the festival in Santiago de Cuba, he is granted the "José María Heredia" Plaque which is granted to Cuban citizens and citizens of other countries who have made significant contributions in favor of Cuban culture.

In the remaining years until now Adalberto has continued performing national and international tours, earning the respect and admiration of all the public before whom he presents.

The themes authored by Adalberto appear in the repertoire and discography of Papo Lucca, Oscar D' León, Roberto Roena, Willy Rosario, Andy Montañés, Ismael Quintana, Juan Luis Guerra y la 440, Eddie Palmieri and Gilberto Santa Rosa among other prominent musicians, performers and composers who have recognized his talent as a creator.

The above is only a sample of what his creative talent means; however, in his live presentations, interesting events with the public also occur. Let us remember the concert held in April 2002 at the Palais de Congrès in Paris where "The Gentleman of Son" occasionally invited the legendary Compay Segundo, achieving that more than 4000 people sang along to his music and danced to his Son.

Winner of several national and international awards, recognized by his people and admired in several countries, Adalberto Álvarez continues to be that "Gentleman" who thanks to his talent one day bet on Cuban popular music and to the pride of all managed to win the popularity of his people, who upon hearing the first chords of each of his themes thanks him in the manner of a dancer for his fruitful and wonderful existence.

Maestro Adalberto Álvarez, in addition to having a luxury repertoire in his performances, has been an excellent promoter of Cuban music, which is why he is considered one of the most faithful defenders of couple dancing in the Casino modality, a dance-choreographic style that emerged spontaneously in the late 1940s in Cuba among dancers and which today is known throughout the entire world.

During his professional career, maestro Álvarez, precisely due to his artistic results and his vocation to preserve cultural values, has held important responsibilities, among them being Honorary President of the "Matamoros Son Festival" since 2004 and Honorary President of the First International Meeting of Casino Wheels. He has also presided on several occasions over the International Cubadisco Festival and is the creator of "La Fiesta del Tinajón" of Camagüey, an event that promotes the most authentic values of the history and tradition of the people of Camagüey, bringing together all artistic manifestations.

Adalberto died on September 1, 2021 due to multiple organ failure resulting from bronchopneumonia as a complication of COVID-19.