The prominent Cuban musician Luis Manuel Mirabal Vázquez, popularly known as "El Guajiro Mirabal," passed away this Tuesday in Havana at the age of 91, as announced by the Cuban Institute of Music (ICM), which did not specify the cause of death.
A member of the famous musical project Buena Vista Social Club, Mirabal "is considered one of the greatest trumpeters in Cuba and the world," and his "passing represents a regrettable loss for Cuban music and culture," noted the ICM in its obituary, which reflected on the musician's endearing career.
Upon hearing the news, the Buena Vista diva, Omara Portuondo, immediately reacted on her social media.
"I have just received the sad news that 'Guajiro' Mirabal has passed away, dear brother, great friend, great musician, great man," wrote the 94-year-old singer, who sent a message of condolences to the musician's family, concluding with a "thank you for so much, dear friend."
Born on May 5, 1933, and nicknamed "El Guajiro de Cuba" by the renowned Venezuelan sonero Oscar D'León, Mirabal has been regarded as one of the most outstanding trumpeters in Cuba and the world over the past few decades.
His career, marked by simplicity and humility, spanned more than seven decades, during which he built a significant artistic legacy.
He was a member of prominent musical groups such as Rumba Habana and the Riverside Orchestra.
Throughout his career, El Guajiro Mirabal was also part of other orchestras such as the Tropicana Orchestra (of which he was a founder), the Casino Orchestra, the Parisién Cabaret Orchestra, the Nacional Hotel Orchestra, the ICRT Orchestra, and the Cuban Modern Music Orchestra, among others.
He also participated in numerous recordings and collaborations with prominent Cuban and foreign musicians, such as the aforementioned Oscar D'León.
El Guajiro Mirabal was a pioneer and a fundamental member of projects that have brought international acclaim to Cuban music, such as Afrocuban All Stars and the acclaimed Buena Vista Social Club (BVSC), with which he won a Grammy Award in 1998.
In 2004, the record label World Circuit released the album Buena Vista Social Club presents Manuel Guajiro Mirabal, which was nominated for the Latin Grammy Awards in 2005 and the Billboard Latin Music Awards in 2006.
His figure also stood out in the successful documentary by Wim Wenders, which brought the BVSC to global recognition and was nominated for an Oscar in 1999 for Best Documentary.
A member of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), throughout his extensive career, El Guajiro Mirabal received numerous awards and recognitions, including the Distinction for National Culture and the Alejo Carpentier Medal, among others.
His passing represents a significant loss for Cuban music and culture. His wake will be held at the Marianao funeral home, and the burial will take place this Tuesday, October 29, at 11:00 a.m. (local time) at the Colón necropolis.
"I have received the sad news of the passing of Manuel 'El Guajiro' Mirabal. I started playing with him when I was 16 years old in the Orquesta de Música Moderna. I learned a lot from him, especially about improvisation in Cuban music; when he played, it was a distillation of the most authentic Cuban essence possible," wrote fellow Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval in recent hours.
"He had a great sense of humor and was a very kind person. We have lost a giant of music and the most Cuban trumpet player in the history of the genre. May he rest in peace. My condolences to his family, friends, and all his admirers," concluded Sandoval.
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