Lázaro Silvestre García Gil

Lázaro is a troubadour and composer born in the city of Cienfuegos. His family moved to La Habana where he spent part of his childhood and completed his early studies.

Upon returning to his native city, he develops his first contacts with music, influenced by the peasant origins of his parents. At age 10, he begins practical guitar training and creates his first musical compositions at age 14, at which time he begins to combine his middle-level teaching with performances as an amateur artist until age 15, when he becomes a professional musician, working in various nightclubs and radio stations.

In 1965, he is called to General Military Service and joins the Military Band of Military Unit 1392, where he deepened his knowledge of music theory and solfège until he was discharged in 1968.

From then on, he directs the musical group "Los Jaguares" until 1972, when he joins the New Troubadour Movement (MNT), of which he is a founder alongside relevant figures of this form of song expression, and he dedicates himself to organizing this movement in the central region of the country. He also forms the musical ensemble "Septiembre 5," based on the aesthetic principles of the MNT.

In 1976, he is called to carry out an internationalist mission in the People's Republic of Angola, as a combatant in the Anti-Bandit Struggle Regiment, though he is also incorporated into artistic activities carried out there by Cuban troubadours and theater artists.

Upon his return, he assumes the position of National Vice Coordinator of the MNT and from then on begins a long career of performances abroad, including France, Czechoslovakia, Libya, Algeria, Western Sahara, Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Argentina, Chile, Grenada, Austria, Dominican Republic, Canada, Japan, and others.

He has written music for film and theater works, and has won important prizes in literary and musical events, such as the Cuban Music Competitions "Adolfo Guzmán" and Cucalambé Awards and May 17 Literature prizes.

He was a musical advisor to Egrem, to the ICRT, and from 1996 to 2003 he founded and directed the Eusebio Delfín musical recording studios in Cienfuegos. Between 2004 and 2008, he assumed the direction of the Abdala studios in Ciudad de la Habana, returning to his native Cienfuegos where he continues his work as a troubadour and musical producer at the Eusebio Delfín studios.

He continues his activities as a composer and performer. He owns 5 albums released in Cuba and Mexico and has produced countless musical recordings by important figures and groups from the country.

His musical work has been performed by prominent figures such as Silvio Rodríguez, Pablo Milanés, Miriam Ramos, Vicente Feliú, Augusto Blanca, Argelia Fragoso, Beatriz Márquez, Liuba María Hevia, Santiago Feliú, Ramón Fabián Veloz, Maureen Iznaga, Maureen García, and other Cubans, as well as international performers, among whom stand out the Argentines Carlos Díaz (Caíto), Delfor Sombra, Nahuel and Paula Farré, and the Mexicans Marta Isabel and María Eugenia.

Awards
He obtained first prize in the Adolfo Guzmán Cuban Music Competition with his work Tejiendo un rostro en la canción, which shows the most lyrical aspect of this troubadour's work; in its structure, the chromatic sense stands out, which we can consider as the most significant stylistic element of this piece, always used in function of the expressiveness of the text.

In the 1985 edition of this same competition, he obtained the Grand Prize with Inclina el cetro flor, the song is full of musical craftsmanship. It is, on the other hand, a legitimate exponent of the song style that defines its author as one of the most mature cultivators of this genre in current Cuban music. And in the same competition in 1986, he won first prize with Sigue el sueño rumbo al sol. He is the author of the theme for the Cuban Television program, Palmas y Cañas.

Distinctions Awarded
Order for National Culture
Alejo Carpentier Medal
"Raúl Gómez García" Medal
X Anniversary Distinction of the New Troubadour Movement
First Class Internationalist Combatant Medal
Medal for the Victory of Angola
Replica of the machete of Máximo Gómez awarded by the Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR)
Majadahonda Distinction awarded by the Union of Cuban Writers and Artists (UNEAC) to internationalist artists.
August 23 Medal awarded by the Federation of Cuban Women (FMC)
"September 5" Distinction awarded by the Provincial Assembly of Popular Power of Cienfuegos.
Commemorative Medal of the Cuban Institute of Radio and Television (ICRT)
April Prize of the Union of Communist Youth (UJC)
Jagua Prize from the Provincial Culture Directorate of Cienfuegos.
Diploma for Artistic Merit awarded by the Higher Institute of Art (ISA)
Emeritus Member of the Music Association of UNEAC
UNEAC Music Prize for lifetime work (2013)
Master of Youth Prize 2019
As well as various recognitions awarded by other government entities and the PCC.

Works
Al sur de mi mochila
Carretón
Carta de provincia
Dardos de miel
Hay que saber que la vida sigue
Hoy logré tenerte
La emboscada y Cuentos