Bartolomé Maximiliano Moré, better known as Beny Moré, was born August 24, 1919.
One of Cuba’s most adored singers, Beny Moré started his career in the early 1940s. He soon got a job with the famous Conjunto Matamoros, where he was featured as lead vocalist.
His singing with Miguel Matamoros’ ensemble made Beny Moré nationally famous. At first, Matamoros had merely planned to have Moré take over his vocal part in the trio harmonies, but instead quickly turned him into the featured singer.
Matamoros adapted their sound to the new style of the mambo, which Perez Prado, Beny More’s future employer, was creating at the time. Although the position brought him national recognition, More felt stifled by bandleader Miguel Matamoros’ tightly conceived arrangements, and began looking for other creative opportunities.
In 1945, as the group toured Mexico, More stayed behind and set out on his own musical path. It was there, in 1948, that he met the great band leader, Dámaso Pérez Prado, who was just starting to pioneer the mambo dance craze.
Beny Moré worked with the Prado orchestra from 1948 until 1950, when he decided to permanently return to Cuba.
After his return to Cuba, More worked with bandleaders Mariano Merceron and descarga pioneer, Bebo Valdes. During the 1950s, he became recognized as one of the country’s greatest stars, a singer as comfortable belting away on upbeat dance numbers as he was singing slower, romantic boleros. More stayed in Cuba after the revolution, and performed up until his passing in 1963.
Beny Moré is considered by many to have been the greatest Cuban vocalist ever.
Hre died on February 19, 1963 in Havana, Cuba.
Selected Discography
Conjunto Matamoros with Beny Moré”1945-1947″ (Tumbao)
Perez Prado/Beny Moré”El Barbaro del Ritmo – 1948-1950″ (Tumbao)
Vol. 1: Mata Siguaraya (BMG, 1992)
Vol. 2: Y Hoy Como Ayer (BMG, 1992)
“Vol. 3: Maracaibo Oriental (BMG, 1992)
El Barbaro de la Melodia (Caney)
Pare…que Llegó el Bárbaro (Manzana, clásicos de la Música cubana MWCD-1)
Así es Beny (Manzana, clásicos de la Música cubana MWCD-2)
La Coleccion Cubana – Beny More (Music Club, 1998)
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.