Rolando Martínez López

Born in Cayo Hueso, La Habana. An interpreter of nearly all genres of Cuban popular music, he began in the ensemble of Felix Chapottín at age 14, and later was part of the orchestras of Ernesto Duarte and Pachito Alonso.

He sang with the Benny Moré Orchestra, and after Benny's death, he has performed numerous times on radio, television, theater, and cabarets. For years he has worked as a solo artist.

He has recorded albums that have obtained undeniable popular acceptance.

One of the greatest Cuban singers who has shared the stage with musical luminaries such as Benny Moré, Celia Cruz, and Chapotín.

Rolo Martínez is one of the most important artists of Cuban popular music, an incomparable voice that has remained intact through the years. He was one of the most popular singers in Cuba in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He sang with the Chappotin group, alongside the great Miguel Cuní, with the orchestra of Ernesto Duarte, and shared the stage with Celia Cruz. This is Rolo Martínez's first CD, an artist who in the golden age of Cuban music, was great among the greats. One of the outstanding song singers in the musical history of Cuba.

Rolo began very young in music at just 15 years of age, already performing as a singer in various professional groups in Habana, and a year later, he became the lead voice of the famous "Félix Chappotín" ensemble, replacing Miguelito Cuní, a singer, trumpeter, and one of the greatest musicians of the Cuban twentieth century. This experience marked a turning point in the young artist's life.

In the 1950s, "Rolo" joined the orchestra of Ernesto Duarte, with which he recorded songs that immediately became major hits. In 1959, he recorded his first album as a solo artist, and in the 1960s, after Benny Moré's death, "Rolo" Martínez joined the big band that Benny Moré used.

Years later, "Rolo" established himself as a singer for Pachito Alonso's orchestra, and in 1982 recorded a CD, once again as a solo artist for the Cuban EGREM label.

In December 1997, "Rolo" Martínez participated in the recording of "Sonando," by young flutist and composer Orlando Valle "Maracas," and some months later was part of the all-star group "Cubanismo," led by musician Jesús Alemany, which toured 12 cities in the United States.

In the summer of 1998, he recorded his third album as a solo artist, titled "Para bailar mi son," for the Ahí-Namá label, accompanied by the Cuban orchestra "Bamboleo," directed by the talented Lázaro Valdés. A year later, to promote this recording, he made his first solo tour through the United States, achieving great success for Cuban music.

I recommend the songs: 'La ruñidera', 'No tiene telaraña', 'Mi son, mi son, mi son'.