Septeto Santiaguero was founded in 1995, by members of Melodías de Ayer, a group formed in the early 1960s, 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 and 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 was eight, they retained the name Septeto Santiaguero because of the way they perform son, bolero, guaracha, guajira, and guaguancó, which are completely rooted in the septeto sound. Together they created a group that 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
Discography:
Septeto Santiaguero
Para Los Bailadores: En Directo Desde Galapagar (Nubenegra, 1997)
La Pulidora (Nubenegra, 2000)
La Chismosa (Nubenegra, 2002)
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.