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The violinist Fernando Leiva, one of the founding musicians of the legendary orchestra Los Van Van, passed away this past Sunday, April 19, at his home in Miami due to a heart attack.
The news was confirmed this Friday by the official Facebook page of the group, which stated: "With deep sorrow, we received the news of the passing of Maestro Fernando Leiva, founding violinist of our orchestra, who passed away on Sunday, April 19, at his home in Miami due to a heart attack."
Born in Mayarí Abajo, a locality in the municipality of Mayarí in the Holguín province, in eastern Cuba, Leiva met the maestro Juan Formell in the Orquesta Revé, a group that became a breeding ground for the musicians who would later form the project that would forever change Cuban dance music.
Since the founding of Los Van Van on December 4, 1969, Leiva joined the original lineup as a violinist and remained with the group for 26 years, contributing to the defining sound of the songo, a genre that fuses Cuban son, rumba, guaracha, and funk.
Los Van Van emphasized that Leiva left "an indelible mark in the history of Los Van Van and in Cuban music", and extended their condolences: "For you, maestro, eternal light for your spirit. Thank you for everything you gave us."
On social media, dozens of internet users reacted with messages of mourning and gratitude.
"A great and historic violinist, part of the originals of Los Van Van. I admired him greatly since I was a young musician. It pains me to know this. Rest in eternal light," wrote a follower.
Another commented: "Another one of the founders of the Cuban music movement. Thank you for gifting us with harmony through the violin."
A third person added, "He will always be among us as a legend of the orchestra of all Cubans."
The death of Leiva occurs just five months after the passing of Julio Noroña, flutist and founder of Los Van Van, who died on November 19, 2025, at the age of 85.
Both losses add to a painful series of departures among the original musicians of the group: the founder and director Juan Formell passed away on May 1, 2014; trumpeter Miguel Ángel Rasalps "El Lele" died on January 26, 2016; flutist Orlando Cantó passed away on January 17, 2020 at the age of 82; and Juan Carlos Formell, the founder's son and bassist of the orchestra, died on May 27, 2023, during a performance in New York.
Los Van Van, popularly known as "The Train of Cuba", are one of the most important groups in the musical history of the island.
Founded by Juan Formell, they have been recognized with the Latin Grammy and the Womex Award, and their legacy continues under the direction of Samuel Formell, the founder's son.
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