Sixto Llorente, El Indio, lead vocalist of Orquesta Aragón, dies

July 13, 2021

The renowned Cuban singer from the legendary Orquesta Aragón, Sixto Llorente, better known as El Indio, passed away on Monday due to kidney complications.

The Instituto Cubano de la Música announced the news and lamented the death of the popular performer, whose physical departure represents an irreplaceable loss for Cuban music, according to their statement.

Likewise, Culture Minister Alpidio Alonso expressed his grief over the artist's death on his official Twitter account, conveyed his condolences to his family, and emphasized that Cuba will remember him forever.

El Indio, sought after by various national groups such as Manolito Simonet y su Trabuco, Son 14, and Los Van Van for his artistic qualities, was born in the Cuban province of Cienfuegos and continued his musical training in Santa Clara.

Llorente was part of the group Aliamén and also created his own ensemble named Son del Indio, from which he championed that musical genre as a tribute to the Sonero Mayor de Cuba, Benny Moré, his favorite singer.

In 2017, Sixto Llorente recorded as a soloist a CD under the production of Orlando Valle, Maracas. Here El Indio takes the listener through a vast repertoire of classic son and boleros. "Oye como suena," by Pío Leyva is the opening track that tells you, 'Get ready to dance!' This modern Cuban sonero knows how to make his soneos that drip with flavor. "Mami me gustó". When it comes to boleros, the man is no slouch. "¿Qué te hace pensar?" and "Te quedarás" sound intense and passionate. His vocal delivery is impeccable.