Juan Climaco Formell Cortina (August 2, 1942 – May 1, 2014) was a Cuban bassist, composer, and arranger, best known as the director of
Los Van Van
Los Van Van is one of the leading musical groups of post-revolutionary Cuba. It was founded in 1969 by bassist Juan Formell, who directed the band until his death in 2014. Formell and former band members Changuito and Pupy are some of the most im ...
. He was a creator of popular danceable music and credited with bringing electronic instrumentation into the Cuban musical form.
His full name was Juan Clímaco (
John Climacus
John Climacus ( grc-gre, Ἰωάννης τῆς Κλίμακος; la, Ioannes Climacus), also known as John of the Ladder, John Scholasticus and John Sinaites, was a 6th–7th-century Christianity, Christian monasticism, monk at the monastery ...
) Formell Cortina.
His professional activity started in 1957 as musician of cabaret orchestras, radio and television. In 1959 he worked as bassist of Musical Band of Revolutionary Police. He died of
liver disease
Liver disease, or hepatic disease, is any of many diseases of the liver. If long-lasting it is termed chronic liver disease. Although the diseases differ in detail, liver diseases often have features in common.
Signs and symptoms
Some of the sig ...
at the age of 71 in 2014.
Awards
In 1999, Juan Formell received a Grammy Award (Latin/Best Salsa Performance) for his work on the album "Llegó... Van Van – Van Van Is Here", recorded at Abdala Studios.
References
External links
soycubano.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Formell, Juan
1942 births
2014 deaths
20th-century composers
21st-century composers
Cuban composers
Male composers
Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners
Latin music songwriters
Cuban male musicians