Samuel Formell on his father's 80th birthday: "We feel your presence and essence in every concert"

Juan Formell, the legendary director of the Cuban orchestraApart From From, would turn 80 this Tuesday, August 2, a significant anniversary that his son Samuel, current director of the group, remembered in a brief but emotional publication on social networks.

“Father, today would be your 80th. We are in the middle of a tour of Europe defending your legacy andWe feel your presence and essence in every concert“, the 55-year-old musician wrote on Facebook.

“Your orchestra, your children, family and followers, we will not forget you. Our hug reaches heaven. Happy Birthday Dad", he concludedSamuel Formell.

In a few hours the publication accumulated more than 4,300 reactions and more than 640 comments, many of them praising the Formell figure,one of the most important Cuban musicians of all time.

"Congratulations dad, you will always be with us, we remember you every minute of the day, because you are our driving force to continue maintaining your family and musical legacy. Happy Birthday on behalf of all your children, grandchildren, the musicians of your orchestra and all the Vanguards of the world",Samuel had written last year to celebrate his 79th birthday. of his father and mentor.

Born in Havana in 1942, at the age of fifteen Juan Clímaco Formell Cortina debuted as a guitarist in groups that played in cabarets and on the radio and television of the time. In 1959 he began working as a bassist for the band of the National Revolutionary Police (PNR) and then joined the orchestra ofElio Revé, where he played the guitar-bass.

In 1969 he left the Revé and in December of that year he founded his own group:Apart From From, with which he made Cuba dance in the coming decades, always following a constant creative work characterized by search and experimentation in all areas, and supported at all times by maximum use of the expressive resources of the son.

After decades of successes that placed Los Van Van at the top of popular dance music,In 2013 the Latin Recording Academy awarded Juan Formell the 2013 Special Award for Musical Excellence.

"My life has been entirely dedicated to music and it only makes sense when people make it their own and enjoy it", then said an excited Formell.

He died at the age of 71 just a few months later, on May 1, 2014, the orchestra he founded - nicknamed the "Cuban Music Train" - continues its trail of success now under the direction of his son Samuel and with vocal accompaniment from his daughter Vanessa, whoHe joined the group in 2017.

For several weeks now, the Van Vans have been meeting immersed in “50 years of Songo”, a European tour which has taken them to cities in Spain, France, Italy, Switzerland, England, Germany and Belgium.