Septeto Santiaguero was founded in 1995, by members of Melodías de Ayer, a group formed in the early sixties which, together with the Estudiantina Invasora and the Cuarteto Patria, had for over three decades animated many a day and night at the Casa de la Trova in Santiago de Cuba.

In 1993 and 1994 a number of young musicians from other septets, such as Sones de Oriente or Septeto Luz, joined Melodías de Ayer and Fernando Dewar, a tres player, took over the leadership of the group. Seeking to return to their roots, they decided to give up the mambos and stick to the discipline of the traditional septet - guitar, tres, bongo, clave, maracas, acoustic bass and trumpet, with the addition of the drum, which they retained in honor of Arsenio Rodríguez. In the Santiago de Cuba style, the two singers maintain the first and second harmony with equal emphasis.

Despite the fact that the group is eight in number, they retained the name Septeto Santiaguero because of the way they perform the son, the bolero, the guaracha, the guajira, and the guaguancó, which are completely rooted in the septeto sound. Together they have a created a group which preserves and pays homage to one of Cuba’s most important musical forms, with a vitality demonstrating that the septeto tradition is still fresh and alive in Santiago de Cuba today.

Fernando Dewar, musical direction, tres and backing vocals

Rudens Matos, guitar, backing vocals, occasional solo vocals and choreography

Pedro Antonio Rodón (Tony), solo vocals and claves

Inocencio Heredia (Chencho), solo vocals and maracas

José Delgado (El Pepe), bongos, tumbadora and cowbells

Adolfo Aguilera, bass

José Alberto Rodríguez, trumpet

Septeto Santiaguero (Nubenegra, 1997)

La Pulidora (Nubenegra/Intuition Music 3266, 2000)

La Chismosa (Nubenegra 1109, 2001)