Alberto Vera Morúa

Composer of Cuban Song, synonym of love and melody. His first contributions to music defined him as the great romantic, who travels from generation to generation captivating us with his singular way of expressing himself. His work and meritorious professional performance was and is a school for the musical world of Cuba.

He was born in La Habana, in the bosom of a family of artists. His father Alberto, a Designer and Decorator, his mother María Teresa, an outstanding pianist and music teacher. They instill in their children, Alberto and Maité, feelings of creativity and love for art.

As a child he began music studies, which he abandoned when he started a career in Civil Construction at the School of Arts and Trades in La Habana. It is there precisely where he meets Giraldo Piloto, who in addition to being a fellow student in that education is finishing his Violin studies at the Conservatory of the capital.

In the year 1949 Alberto and Giraldo united, constant admirers of a group of young authors of that era, among them José Antonio Méndez, César Portillo de la Luz, Rosendo Ruiz.

In 1951 they emerge professionally, it must be remembered, the first song of the authorial pair, which obtains notable success. Following it are Nueva vida, Tu fidelidad, Duele, Y deja, Tu verdad and others that give prestige to the signature of Piloto and Vera.

A milestone in the artistic career is the year 1958, when they unveil two songs that are inscribed forever in Cuban musical history: Sólo contigo basta and Añorado encuentro, the latter achieving the highest rating in recordings and popularity.

In that period, Piloto and Vera venture into the specialty of musical comedy and present themselves in their profile with the work Las vacas gordas, original by Abelardo Estorino, and Las Yaguas, written by Maité Vera. Such scenic productions are received with repeated success in all the theaters of the country where they are presented.

On September 6, 1967 an unexpected and tragic aviation accident ends the precious life of Giraldo Piloto. With him Cuban national culture loses one of its bastions, but for Alberto Vera it is much more, he loses a companion, a friend with whom he shares dreams since 1944.

Alberto Vera spends several years separated from composition, until he overcomes such a hard blow and emerges again on the landscape of creation. He manages alone to win a very firm place in the preference of the people, work to which he devotes himself together with those that emanate from his responsibility as General Director of Music of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television, for almost 15 years.

The most outstanding performers of the Cuban scene recreate his songs, among them, Elena Burke, Moraima Secada and Omara Portuondo, united by a special affinity and affection, and for whom he captures unforgettable themes such as Amigas.

Alberto Vera is the protagonist of a very uncommon feat of maintaining total relevance with each of his latest compositions, which is recognized in important tributes and for which he holds the precious Distinction for National Culture.