Gregorio Hernández Ríos

Distinguished Cuban musician. He worked as a dancer, singer, and percussionist and is one of the most renowned rumba musicians in the Cuban musical sphere.

Deeply committed to teaching, he trained several generations of musicians. He served as Full Professor at the Instituto Superior de Arte, and also performed functions as régisseur and stage director, as well as folklore advisor. Founder and professor for twenty-five years of the Conjunto Folklórico Nacional.

He taught at the University of La Habana and the Instituto Superior de Arte of Cuba, as well as in different countries, including Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, United States, and Canada.

He was awarded the following teaching positions:
1985 - Technical Assistant Teaching Category (University of La Habana) (Creation of the University Folklore Ensemble).
1989 - Principal Instructor Category (Instituto Superior de Arte).
1991 - Teaching Category of Associate Full Professor (Instituto Superior de Arte).
Work as a dancer, singer, and percussionist

He conducted numerous tours as an advisor, dancer, and folklore musician to numerous cities in Italy, France, Holland, USA, and Canada.

He shared the stage with figures such as Carlos "Patato" Valdés, Tata Güines, Isaac Delgado, "Changuito"; Orlando Valle "Maracas", Lázaro Ross, Afro Cuban All Star, Yoruba Andabo, Clave y Guaguancó, Los Muñequitos de Matanzas, Giovanni Hidalgo, and other famous musicians in festivals across Latin America, the Caribbean, and Europe.

His final and meticulous work toward Cuban percussion from the direction of the Obba-Ilú group encompassed both practical and theoretical spheres, demonstrating his artistic potential and his capacity to preserve our Afro-Cuban cultural heritage.

He served with integrity and professional spirit for fifteen years on the National Board of Directors of the defunct PERCUBA Society. He was a worthy and indisputable representative of those who make up the rich universe of Cuban percussion.

He died on January 8, 2012, at the age of 75, in La Habana, as a result of a cerebrovascular condition.

Outstanding Discographic Productions
He participated in countless discographic productions generated in Cuba and abroad, such as "The spirit of Havana", with Canadian Jane Bunnet, or his participation in the second volume of the album "La rumba soy yo. Con sentimiento Manana", by Bis Music, which in 2001 received the Latin Grammy Award, of which he was one of its principal organizers and performers.

Special mention deserves the album "La rumba es cubana. Su historia", released by the Unicornio label of Producciones Abdala, which was nominated for the Cubadisco Prize 2003 in the categories of folk music and graphic design, winning the highest award in the latter. The phonogram offers a panorama of rumba through its historical development and "El Goyo" was the producer of this selection, with the advice of the valuable musicologist Helio Orovio and the interpretation of its most genuine representatives.

Discography
CD "Rapsodia Rumbera", EGREM, 1995.
CD "Aniversario de Tata Güines", EGREM, 1995.
CD "Cuba Linda", Rykodisc, 1996.
CD "Jane Bunnet and the spirit of Havana", Chamalo Go - EGREM, 1997.
CD "Faith a message from the spirits", Soul Jazz Records, 1997.
CD "Tu querida presencia", BIS Music, 1997.
CD "Santería songs for the Orishas", Soul Jazz Records, 1998.
CD "A mi manera -latin jazz", EGREM.
CD "La rumba es cubana. Su historia", Unicornio, 2002.
CD "La rumba soy yo. Con sentimiento Manana", BIS Music, 2004.
CD "Colección Bailes para todos… para los rumberos", various artists, BIS Music, 2006.
He participated in documentaries, films, commercials, and theatrical works.

Cinematographic Works
Films:
Nosotros la música. Cuban production
Descenso al infierno. Cuban-Polish co-production
Cuba. Cuban-Spanish co-production. Folklore advisor and actor
El Ojo del canario, about the life of JOSE MARTI. Director Fernando Pérez
El día de las flores, as a musician. Cuban-English co-production

Documentaries:
En un barrio viejo. By Nicolás Guillén Landrian
Visita a Cuba. By Federico García Lorca. Direction: Tomas Gutiérrez Alea

Theatrical works as actor and musician
María Antonia
El Rey Cristóbal
El Pagador de Promesa
Odebi El Cazador
A tomar café o Gitano por el Mar de las Antillas

Works as librettist
Baroko
Rumba en la Jacoba
Wemilere