Orlando González Soto, better known as Orlando Contreras (22 May 1930 in

Havana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

Cuba Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...

– 9 February 1994 in

Medellín Medellín ( or ), officially the Municipality of Medellín ( es, Municipio de Medellín), is the second-largest city in Colombia, after Bogotá, and the capital of the department of Antioquia. It is located in the Aburrá Valley, a central re ...

, Colombia), was a

Cuban Cuban may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to Cuba, a country in the Caribbean * Cubans, people from Cuba, or of Cuban descent ** Cuban exile, a person who left Cuba for political reasons, or a descendant thereof * Cuban citizen, a perso ...

Bolero Bolero is a genre of song which originated in eastern Cuba in the late 19th century as part of the trova tradition. Unrelated to the older Spanish dance of the same name, bolero is characterized by sophisticated lyrics dealing with love. It has ...

singer, known by his fans as "La Voz Romántica de Cuba" (Cuba's Romantic Voice).

Biography

Contreras started singing in a variety of musical groups in

Habana Havana (; Spanish: ''La Habana'' ) is the capital and largest city of Cuba. The heart of the La Habana Province, Havana is the country's main port and commercial center.

, among them the Arty Valdés trio, and from 1957 to 1958 he joined the Neno González Orchestra. In this orchestra he gained some notoriety and recorded songs that gained some success. While in the Neno Orchestra, Contreras also worked in the

Conjunto Casino The term ''conjunto'' (, literally 'group', 'ensemble') refers to several types of small musical ensembles present in different Latin American musical traditions, mainly in Mexico and Cuba. While Mexican conjuntos play styles such as '' norteño' ...

. After this he became a solo singer. He lived in Cuba during the first years of the Cuban Revolution. In 1961 he recorded more songs, placing him among the better known singers. During this time he worked in the Alí Bar alongside

Beny Moré Beny or Bény may refer to: Given name * Beny Alagem (born 1953), Israeli-American businessman * Beny Parnes (born 1959), Brazilian economist * Beny Primm (1928–2015), American physician and HIV/AIDS researcher * Beny Steinmetz (born 1956), Is ...

, Fernando Álvarez and

Orlando Vallejo Orlando () is a city in the U.S. state of Florida and is the county seat of Orange County, Florida, Orange County. In Central Florida, it is the center of the Greater Orlando, Orlando metropolitan area, which had a population of 2,509,831, acco ...

. He also worked with the Musicuba band and in September 1965, he moved to the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

. His highest success was the song ''Esta tu canción''. Between 1966 and 1970, Contreras sang in a Portuguese tourist ship while also recording additional songs. During the 1970s he recorded an anthology with Daniel Santos and toured

The Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North America, North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. ...

and

Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...

. He last settled in Medellin, where during the 1960s, he and Daniel Santos were called "Los jefes" (the chiefs) by their fans in bars and clubs of downtown Medellin. While there, he recorded with the Fruko y sus Tesos orchestra.

Career

Among his successes that landed him fame in Cuba and Latin America were: En un beso la vida, Sin egoísmo, Difícil, Amarga decepción, Por borracha, Por un puñado de oro, Dónde tu iras, Mi corazonada, Muerto en vida, Dolor de hombre, Que murmuren, Un amigo mío, Amigo de que, Yo estoy desengañado, Arráncame la vida, Egoísmo, Esta tu canción, Se muy bien que vendrás, and Corazón de Madera.

Death

Contreras died in Medellin, of Pulmonary cancer.

References

External links

"Orlando Contreras: La Voz Romantica De Cuba"

{{DEFAULTSORT:Contreras, Orlando 20th-century Cuban male singers Bolero singers 1930 births 1994 deaths