Ibrahím Ferrer Dies at 78

Havana, Cuba – Cuban singer

Ibrahim Ferrer died yesterday, August 6, at CIMEQ hospital in Havana (Cuba).
He was 78. Ferrer was admired for his contribution to the lucrative

Buena Vista Social Club CD and documentary.

Ibrahím Ferrer was born at a social club dance on February 20, 1927 in San
Luis, a town near Santiago, Cuba. His mother died when he was twelve years old,
and Ibrahim was forced to earn his own living singing on the streets of
Santiago. For several decades he worked with some of Santiago’s and Havana’s
best conjuntos and orquestas.When a bolero singer of the old school was required for the Buena
Vista Social Club sessions in 1996. Ibrahim Ferrer was literally plucked off the
streets of Havana where he was taking his daily walk. During the sessions he
took part in the
Afro
Cuban All Stars’ Grammy-nominated recording

A Toda Cuba Le Gusta and is one of the main soneros on the
million-selling album Buena Vista Social Club, produced by Ry Cooder.

His most recent US release was the compilation

Cuban Essentials 1 Ibrahim Ferrer Ay, Candela.