Gumersindo Soriano Zayas formed los Naranjos together with a septet of young musicians and opened a new chapter in the musical life of Cienfuegos in 1926.
With their instruments, Los Naranjos illustrated a timeless musical genre, which remains and lives in the discourse of Cuba’s more talented artists. The group performs “sones” with exquisite fluidity and Cuban flavor, with warm cadent rhythms, describing real life, with an exceptional sense of Creole expression.
Well known Cuban classics exemplify the first sones that Los Naranjos played at public dances and benefits. The group began with a format that included marímbula. Afterwards, it became a septet with trumpet and later piano.
Despite having nine or ten members, Loa Naranjos uses the traditional format of a son conjunto with guitar, tres, bongó, trumpet, bass, clave and maracas. Los Naranjos have performed with prestigious figures such as Marcelino Guerra, Ernesto Lecuona, Sindo Garay, Bobby Carcasés, Omara Portuondo and Algeria Fragoso.
In 1997 the group made a come back and played at the Karl Marx Theater in the City of Havana, for a large crowd that was wild about its sones. Los Naranjos demonstrated their special way of communicating the traditional and Creole rhythms of the island.
The band in the 1990s included Félix Molina – Bass and Musical Direction; Feliciano Cardenal – Bongos; Miguel Angel Molina – Guitar; Urbano Aday – Tres; Bartolomé Abreus – Trumpet; Osvaldo Abreus, Juan Justiz, Pablo Justiz and Humberto Rodríguez – Vocals and Minor Percussion.
Discography:
Respeta Mi Tambó (Ahí Namá Music, 1997)
La Tradicion No Se Olvida (2000)
Oriente (Orfeon, 2001)
Los Viejos Te Cantan (Ahí Namá Music, 2010)
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.
