Efraín Loyola Fernández

Efraín Loyola, Cuba's longest-active flutist, passed away in Cienfuegos at the age of 94 due to pulmonary thromboembolism, a talkative and fraternal person, very popular not only as a musician but also for his way of being.

Loyola's trajectory brought him close to stardom. This is evidenced by his time with important groups such as the Conjunto Tradicional de Sones Los Naranjos, the Rítmica 39 (embryo of La Aragón) and the centennial Banda Municipal de Conciertos de Cienfuegos, in which he performed since 1937. In 1939 he founded the Orquesta Aragón with other musicians, in which he remained until 1954. He also had his own ensemble, called Orquesta de Efraín Loyola.

He also received almost 150 awards including the Title of Meritorious Member of the Unión de Escritores y Artistas de Cuba, the distinction of Illustrious Son of the City of Cienfuegos, the Jagua Prize, and the Jesús Menéndez order, conferred by the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba.

With great versatility, Loyola made his way through the trades of bootblack and baker, until reaching music and even fighting bandits in the Escambray (he holds the rank of militia captain).

So many stories accumulated in elegant suits and a cane, for although time passes, nothing will be able to strip away the charisma and fine bearing from this Cienfuegan lover of the danzón and admirer of Miguelito Cuní.

Every day, the central streets of Santa Cruz and Prado saw him pass by. Always ready for timely conversation, with his hair freshly styled in the fashion of the 1950s, Loyola carried with him the authoritative opinion on the musical history of his country.