Pianist José Reyes Núñez, better known as Pepesito, was born in 1916, in the Havana barrio of Los Sitios. Pepesito was best known for having written the piano line for Guantanamera, the Cuban classic that made its way around the world via the majestic voice of Joseito Fernandez.
From an early age, people noted young Pepesito’s gift for imitating melodies on the keyboard. In fact, his first attempts with the complex Cuban tumbao were totally self-taught. Through it, he discovered an ability to improvise, a manner to free the notes and sew them to the rhythm, to give them a melodic from and infuse the notes with passion. In Pepesito’s hands, the intricate secrets of the instrument became the ideal accompaniment to sones, boleros and gurachas.
Eventually embarking on a professional career, Pepesito started out with Joseito Fernandez, and his life became an exciting adventure. Later, alongside Fajardo, he would form the legendary group Fajardo y Sus Estrellas. Later still, Pepesito got together with Arsenio Rodriguez, and on different occasions, with Pancho el Bravo and the legendary Benny Moré. Moré, in particular, became a great friend, and the two would often close the Siglo XX bar in Havana, talking about music in between shots of rum.
The 1940s marked Pepesito’s American Epoch. He spent ten years in New York City’s Cafe Metropolis, where he met many great artists with whom he would share the stage, plans and musical secrets. Pepesito turned American jazz standards of the time with his own Cuban flair and created an absolute sensation in the New York club scene. From famed musicians to the jet set, anyone who was anyone crammed into the cafe to hear this incredible experience of sound and rhythm. It was at the Cafe Metropolis that Pepesito charmed Nat King Cole, the first of his American friends who heard his talent. Later, Duke Ellington, with whom he played on numerous occasions, also was attracted by his music. Pepesito’s name spread like wildfire through the radio stations and journalists who heard the dazzling performances at the Metropolis. This is how Tito Puente, who hired him to add his Cuban touch, discovered him. Pepesito’s talent and prestige turned him into one of the brightest stars in the Big Apple, where he became a mainstay of any concert, party or jam session he attended.
After years of performing in Latin America, France, Italy, Holland and Japan, Pepesito finally returned to Havana after leading a tumultuous, sometimes dangerous, life abroad. Surrounded by his family and friends, he announced he was leaving the capital for a small village in eastern Cuba; he had fallen love with a young woman and was going to marry her.
He lived in Palma Soriano. It was from that small village that Eliades Ochoa called on “the pianist who attacks the ivories with a warrior’s heart and angel’s hands” to create his first solo album, a set of danzon musical pieces.
Pepesito Reyes died February 4, 2011.
Discography
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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.
