Enrique Alberto Bonne Castillo

Popular Cuban musician, creator of rhythms, author of several musical pieces performed by his group and by different musical ensembles, with a vast musical trajectory, within and outside the national sphere, and who also performed other functions in representation of Cuban music.

Native of San Luis, former province of Oriente, son of José Bonne Moirano, sugar cane worker at the Ingenio Unión and Engracia Castillo Griñant, piano teacher and representative of the Orbón conservatory in San Luis and Palma Soriano. He lived in San Luis, Palma Soriano and resides (2010) in Santiago de Cuba.

He began his career publicly as a musical author in 1950 and in 1951 the first recording of his music was made with the cha-cha-cha "Italian Boy" by René del Mar and his ensemble, from Santiago de Cuba and the Hermanos Castro Orchestra from La Habana.

In 1953 Mariano Mercerón's orchestra recorded the "Chachachá de la Reina" performed by Pacho Alonso, a number that was also recorded by Felipe Dulzaides and his group.

In the 1950s he founded, together with Medardo Arroyo, an advertising business called "Publicidad Moderna". He graduated as a radio announcer and later worked at radio Turquino and occasionally at Cadena Oriental de Radio, when he was based in Santiago de Cuba.

In 1959 he dedicated himself more to music and recorded several musical pieces.

Recorded musical pieces

By Pacho Alonso: No quiero piedra en mi camino, Que me digan feo, Se tambalea, Dame la mano y caminemos, A cualquiera se le muere un tío, Pepe cabecita, Billy the kid and others.

By the Aragón orchestra: Si me faltara el carnaval and Yo no me lo robé vigilante.

By the Estrellas Cubanas orchestra: Niña hipócrita, El que haya pecado que tenga cuidado and others.

By Fernando Álvarez: Quiero a alguien como tú and Poco a poco.

By Luis García: Perdone usted

By Rosita Fornés: Raro poder

By Elena Burke: Te lo dije, te lo dije

By Ramón Calzadilla: Romanza carabalí.

By Ángel Bonne (his son): Usted volverá a pasar.

Work performed as singer and composer

Grupo Bonne y sus tambores
Creator of the Pilón rhythm. He founded the group "Enrique Bonne y sus tambores", with which he gave concerts in various provinces of the country. He worked at the carnivals in Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, San Luis, Holguín, Banes, Camagüey, Santa Clara, Varadero (for 11 years) and La Habana.

He has performed at Caribbean Festivals. Additionally, with the drums he has worked in shows and on television, accompanying Ramón Calzadilla, Elena Burke, Farah María, Rosita Fornés, Rafael Somavilla and Adolfo Guzmán (Piano), Alberto Alonso's experimental ballet with Cristy Domínguez, Tomás Morales, Gladys González and other dancers who have been brilliant in their performances.

In 1997 he performed with the drums on a tour through Colombia, performing alongside the Los Van Van Orchestra and Ismael Miranda from Puerto Rico.

One should not look for the trace of his lyrics among the greats, in reality he — to many, ... with it — made them great.

Other work performed

He represented the Association of Authors as Director of the Victrola Record Company La Vic-Cuba in the former province of Oriente. When TV was inaugurated in Santiago, he went on to direct musical programming and later was head of programming and other departments.

Member of the Carnival Commission for 29 years. As director of artistic events, he oversaw Government events held at La Gran Piedra and at the Motel Versalles.

Honors and decorations
He has received various honors and decorations including the Distinction for National Culture, the Jesús Menéndez medals from the CTC and Alejo Carpentier, the plaques José María Heredia, Unidad de Oriente, ICRT and the Laureate Seal.

He is a Member of Merit of the UNEAC and has served, on several occasions, as a judge for the Adolfo Guzmán and Eduardo Saborit popular music competitions.

He is the president, in Santiago de Cuba, of the Cuban Association of Musical Authors, honorary president of the Artistic Technical Council of the Provincial Music Center, as well as member of the National Council of the UNEAC - Member of the National Council of the UNEAC and of the advisory councils of Provincial Culture, the Siboney Studios of the EGREM, and the Provincial Directorate of the ICRT.