This is the sound of lived experience, captured through the lens of five men who spent their entire lives perfecting the rhythms of Santiago de Cuba. It is music that feels sun-bleached and salt-aired, carrying the weight of history without ever feeling heavy. The interplay between the tres guitar and the upright bass creates a rhythmic pocket that is both relaxed and incredibly precise, inviting a gentle sway rather than a frantic dance.
What sets Vieja Trova Santiaguera apart is the lack of studio artifice. Unlike the more polished productions that followed the Cuban music boom of the late 90s, these recordings preserve the natural grit and character of octogenarian voices. You can hear the smiles, the shared glances, and the decades of camaraderie in every vocal harmony. It is fundamentally social music, born from street corners and family gatherings.
Start with their self-titled 1994 debut or 'Gusto y Sabor'. These albums capture the group at the height of their late-career revival, offering a masterclass in the 'son' style. It is the perfect accompaniment for a slow afternoon, a shared meal, or any moment where you want the room to feel a little warmer and the world to feel a little more human.
La Vieja Trova Santiaguera is a Cuban musical band that formed in 1994 and became successful in Europe. Its members included: Reinaldo Hierrezuelo la O (known as Rey Caney), solo voice and lead guitar/tres) (Santiago de Cuba, 30 December 1926 - 23 February 2016) Reinaldo Creagh (Cirilo Reinaldo Creagh Veranes, solo voice and claves) (9 July 1918 - 16 November 2014) Artistóteles Limonta (Artistóteles Raimundo Limonta, double bass and voice) (Santiago de Cuba, 15 March 1913 - 17 June 2009) Pancho Cobas (Francisco Cobas la O, guitar) (Siboney, 1 April 1913) Ricardo Ortíz (Ricardo Ortíz Verdecia, solo voice, güiro, trumpet, maracas) (El Cristo (near Santiago de Cuba), 1934 or 1935?) In the 1997 Dutch documentary "Lágrimas Negras they are shown as true supporters of the Cuban Revolution, bringing homage to the grave of 'Carlos Marx'. As Pancho Cobas explains, before the revolution there was little opportunity to make money (except on Holidays), but after the revolution musicians were asked to form bands and were employed by the state. Earlier in his career, Rey had replaced Compay Segundo as his brother Lorenzo's partner in the duo Los Compadres. He was also a founder of the Cuarteto Patria, now led by Eliades Ochoa.
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