[image1_left](Prensa Latina – Cumbancha) Havana, Cuba – Veteran Cuban musician
Ibrahim Ferrer was paid tribute at his home by family, musicians and friends
on his 77th birthday, with a surprise party including a giant cake. Ferrer is
one of the
Buena
Vista Social Club stars who joined together in the 1990´s to revive old
Cuban music glories. He could not pick up his recently won Grammy Award for best
traditional album because the US government refused to issue him a visa to
attend the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on February 8. Cuban authorities
denounced Washington´s boycott, which extended to another six Cuba-based
artists. Guitarist
Manuel Galban, another
Grammy-award winner who was not able to attend, visited Ferrer to wish him a
happy birthday. "Currently Ibrahim Ferrer has a stronger, more tuned voice than
45 years ago," joked Galbán. "I don’t know what this man has in his throat, he
has a gullet of steel." Born on February 20, 1927 in San Luis, Santiago de Cuba, Ferrer has toured Spain, Germany, France, the United States and Great Britain.
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
