This article is about the Cuban vocal group. For the Spanish folk group, see Los Zafiros (trio).
Los Zafiros (The Sapphires) were a Cubanclose-harmony vocal group working from 1962 until 1976.[1] The group was part of the filín (feeling) movement, inspired by American doo-wop groups such as The Platters. Their music was a fusion of Cuban genres, such as the bolero, with doo-wop, ballads, R&B, calypso, Bossa Nova and early rock and roll.
Los Zafiros were formed in Cayo Hueso, Havana in 1962, by Miguel Ángel Cancio Soria, with the following members:[2]
Leoncio Morúa (Kike)
Miguel Cancio (Miguelito) (Founder and first Director)
Ignacio Elejalde, a counter-tenor, in high register.
Eduardo Elio Hernández (El Chino)
Oscar Aguirre (de Fontana) (first guitar and composer).
later, Manuel Galbán (guitar) became musical director, and at times Oscar Aguirre (guitar) substituted.
The group was highly successful from the start, with high record sales and popular tours at home and abroad. However, some members of the group were self-destructive and undisciplined, with heavy drinking and other activities. Two died young: Ignacio died in 1981 at the age of 37 from a brain hemorrhage. Kike died in 1983 from cirrhosis of the liver. El Chino, beset by vision, speech and drinking problems, lived alone in Cayo Hueso until his death on 8 August 1995 at age 56. Today only one member is alive, Miguel Cancio, who lives in Miami and also Oscar Aguirre the first guitar player.[3][4]
Manuel Galbán and his wife lived in the same house in Havana as in the heyday of Los Zafiros, until he died of cardiac arrest on July 7, 2011. He was active on the Cuban music scene through his work in The Buena Vista Social Club and as a recording artist for World Circuit records. In 2001, World Circuit arranged a special recording session for Galbán and Cancio at EGREM. Along with Orlando Lopez (Cachaito), Roberto Garcia and Bernardo Garcia (Chori), Cancio and Galbán recorded two of their old songs. This session plays a central role in the film and marks the first time that Galbán and Cancio recorded together in over thirty years.
In 1987 a revival group known as Los Nuevos Zafiros was formed.[2]
Discography
Bossa Cubana CD (1963–1967, re-released 1999)
Los Zafiros Story CD (2006)
Los Zafiros: Music from the edge of time. DVD
References
^Giro, Radamés 2007. Diccionario enciclopédico de la música en Cuba. La Habana. vol 4, p298, says the group disbanded in 1970. Another group called Los Zafiros made numerous British TV appearances after this date which may have led some to say they continued until 1976[citation needed].
^ abGiro, Radamés 2007. Diccionario enciclopédico de la música en Cuba. La Habana. vol 4, p. 298.
zafiros, this, article, about, cuban, vocal, group, spanish, folk, group, trio, sapphires, were, cuban, close, harmony, vocal, group, working, from, 1962, until, 1976, group, part, filín, feeling, movement, inspired, american, groups, such, platters, their, mu. This article is about the Cuban vocal group For the Spanish folk group see Los Zafiros trio Los Zafiros The Sapphires were a Cuban close harmony vocal group working from 1962 until 1976 1 The group was part of the filin feeling movement inspired by American doo wop groups such as The Platters Their music was a fusion of Cuban genres such as the bolero with doo wop ballads R amp B calypso Bossa Nova and early rock and roll Los ZafirosOriginHavana CubaGenresFilin doo wopYears active1962 1976 Contents 1 History 2 Discography 3 References 4 External linksHistory EditLos Zafiros were formed in Cayo Hueso Havana in 1962 by Miguel Angel Cancio Soria with the following members 2 Leoncio Morua Kike Miguel Cancio Miguelito Founder and first Director Ignacio Elejalde a counter tenor in high register Eduardo Elio Hernandez El Chino Oscar Aguirre de Fontana first guitar and composer later Manuel Galban guitar became musical director and at times Oscar Aguirre guitar substituted The group was highly successful from the start with high record sales and popular tours at home and abroad However some members of the group were self destructive and undisciplined with heavy drinking and other activities Two died young Ignacio died in 1981 at the age of 37 from a brain hemorrhage Kike died in 1983 from cirrhosis of the liver El Chino beset by vision speech and drinking problems lived alone in Cayo Hueso until his death on 8 August 1995 at age 56 Today only one member is alive Miguel Cancio who lives in Miami and also Oscar Aguirre the first guitar player 3 4 Manuel Galban and his wife lived in the same house in Havana as in the heyday of Los Zafiros until he died of cardiac arrest on July 7 2011 He was active on the Cuban music scene through his work in The Buena Vista Social Club and as a recording artist for World Circuit records In 2001 World Circuit arranged a special recording session for Galban and Cancio at EGREM Along with Orlando Lopez Cachaito Roberto Garcia and Bernardo Garcia Chori Cancio and Galban recorded two of their old songs This session plays a central role in the film and marks the first time that Galban and Cancio recorded together in over thirty years In 1987 a revival group known as Los Nuevos Zafiros was formed 2 Discography EditBossa Cubana CD 1963 1967 re released 1999 Los Zafiros Story CD 2006 Los Zafiros Music from the edge of time DVDReferences Edit Giro Radames 2007 Diccionario enciclopedico de la musica en Cuba La Habana vol 4 p298 says the group disbanded in 1970 Another group called Los Zafiros made numerous British TV appearances after this date which may have led some to say they continued until 1976 citation needed a b Giro Radames 2007 Diccionario enciclopedico de la musica en Cuba La Habana vol 4 p 298 Historical Notes Loszafirosfilm com 1995 08 08 Retrieved 2014 06 24 los zafiros the sapphires a proposal for a feature documentary Lorenzodestefano com 1995 08 08 Retrieved 2014 06 24 External links EditLos Zafiros Music from the Edge of Time Documentary Film Website Los Zafiros Discogs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Los Zafiros amp oldid 1080142143, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
