Juanito Márquez, a prominent composer, guitarist and arranger from Cuba, passed away in Miami this Saturday at the age of 95, as reported by family close to him.
Born in Holguín on July 4, 1929, Márquez was a pioneer in the development of the rhythm "pa’ cá", which blended joropo, merengue with a taste of eastern son.
The news of his passing has shaken the Cuban artistic community, which remembers him as one of the great architects of the island's music.
The philologist and researcher Rosa Marquetti described him as "one of the last true greats of Cuban music" in a moving social media post.
"One of those unfulfilled wishes that I have lamented and will always lament is not having met him personally, and to thank him for his countless contributions, for that great classic which is the bolero "Alma con alma" and for capturing his wisdom in so many compositions, recordings, films, productions, and now-historic arrangements; that wisdom that made possible many musical careers and many external triumphs where his humility settled for anonymity or, at most, for verbal praise."
The artist Viviam Maria, while sharing the news of the passing, reminisced about the walk they took at the monument dedicated to Juanito in the Historical Park of Cuban Culture in Exile, in Miami. Created by the artist G. Castañet in 1993 and donated by Gloria and Emilio Estefan, the sculpture honors the memory of one of the "architects" of Cuban music.
Coming from a family of musicians, Juanito initially trained with his father, Juan Márquez Gómez, who was a classical guitarist and orchestra conductor, and with whom he learned both guitar and the fundamentals of arrangement and orchestration.
His career began in 1948 as a guitarist and orchestrator in the Hermanos Avilés band, one of the oldest and most emblematic groups in Cuba. He later worked with other major orchestras where he created innovative arrangements, such as a cha-cha-cha based on the opera The Barber of Seville by Rossini.
His first album, released in 1964, established him as a key figure in Cuban and Latin music, noted for his originality and skill with the guitar.
Among her most known compositions are "Alma con alma," "Como un milagro," "Arrímate pa' cá," "Naricita fría," and many others that have been performed by great artists such as Bebo Valdés, Elena Burke, José Feliciano, Jon Secada, and Gloria Estefan, among others. Her work has been fundamental to the dissemination and evolution of Cuban and Latin music on an international level.
After his time in Cuba, he moved to Spain in 1969, where he worked as a musical director for the producer HispaVox and collaborated with Spanish artists such as Raphael and Paloma San Basilio.
Later, since 1976 in Miami, he continued his career collaborating with major figures in Latin music and jazz.
As a guitarist, he appeared on albums by Celia Cruz, Paquito D'Rivera, Frank Sinatra, Arturo Sandoval, among many others.
He addressed all possible genres, from classicism to the most indigenous Cuban and Latin American genres, including Latin jazz and pop," wrote Marquetti.
Frequently Asked Questions about Juanito Márquez and His Legacy in Cuban Music
Who was Juanito Márquez and what was his contribution to Cuban music?
Juanito Márquez was a prominent Cuban composer, guitarist, and arranger known for his innovation in Cuban music. Born in Holguín, he was a pioneer of the "pa’ cá" rhythm and worked with important orchestras in Cuba, such as the Riverside Orchestra. His compositions, such as the bolero "Alma con alma," have been performed by major artists, and his work has influenced Cuban and Latin music on an international level.
How was Juanito Márquez's international career?
After leaving Cuba in 1969, Juanito Márquez continued his career in Spain as a musical director and worked with artists such as Raphael and Paloma San Basilio. He later moved to Miami in 1976, where he collaborated with figures from jazz and Latin music, such as Celia Cruz and Frank Sinatra. His influence extended beyond Cuban borders, establishing him as a key figure in Latin music.
How did his death affect the Cuban artistic community?
The death of Juanito Márquez has caused deep shock in the Cuban artistic community, which remembers him as one of the great architects of the island's music. Philologist and researcher Rosa Marquetti described him as "one of the last true masters of Cuban music," highlighting his humility and his contribution to the development of many musical careers.
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