Manuel Galbán | |
|---|---|
.jpg) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Manuel Galbán |
| Born | (1931-01-14)January 14, 1931 |
| Died | July 7, 2011(2011-07-07) (aged 80) Habana,Cuba |
| Genres | Son cubano,bolero,guajira |
| Occupation(s) | Musician,guitarist,arranger |
| Instrument(s) | Electric guitar,tres,piano,acoustic guitar |
| Years active | 1944–2011 |
Manuel Galbán (January 14, 1931[1] – July 7, 2011)[2] was aGrammy-winning Cuban guitarist, pianist and arranger, most notable for his work withLos Zafiros,Ry Cooder and theBuena Vista Social Club. He died on July 7, 2011, of cardiac arrest at his home in Havana, Cuba.
Manuel Galbán was born on January 14, 1931, and grew up in the small fishing town ofGibara in theHolguín Province of easternCuba. After playingguitar andtres in various local youth groups, he got his first professional gig at the age of 14 playing guitar with the Orchestra Villa Blanca. In 1956, he moved toHavana, where he spent seven years playing in bars and clubs and making frequent appearances on radio.
In 1963, he joined the legendary vocal groupLos Zafiros, after a mutual friend had recommended him to them. His playing proved to be a such hit with Los Zafiros that he was told by singerMiguel Cancio "Galbán, from now on you're working with us; you're exactly what we're looking for". Galbán was considered an integral part of Los Zafiros by many people, including Cuban pianistPeruchin, who had once said "to replace Galbán you would need two guitarists". Galbán had left the group in 1972 after working to allay the personal problems that various members were struggling with.
Thereafter, he spent three years with Cuba's national musical ensemble,Dirección Nacional de Música. Furthermore, he then joined theGrupo Batey as a guitarist, vocalist and pianist, touring extensively across four continents over the course of 23 years.
In 1998, he joined the traditional Cuban groupVieja Trova Santiaguera, with whom he toured and released two highly acclaimed albums. He had also appeared in theWim Wenders filmBuena Vista Social Club, filmed withRy Cooder, during the sessions for the debut solo album byIbrahim Ferrer. Later he recorded with Ferrer and Buena Vista Social Club bassistCachaíto Lopez, leading to his engagement as the featured guitarist with the touring ensemble named after the film.
In 2001, he recordedMambo Sinuendo withRy Cooder, which won the 2003Grammy for Best Pop Instrumental Album. Cooder had commented on their inspiration to create the album, "Galbán and I felt that there was a sound that had not been explored, a Cuban electric-guitar band that could re-interpret the atmosphere of the 1950s with beauty, agility, and simplicity."[3]
Galbán died from aheart attack on July 7, 2011, at the age of 80.[4]
Galbán's distinctive electric guitar sound makes liberal use of reverb, tremolo, diminished arpeggio runs and palm mutes. Using aFender Telecaster with heavy gauge strings, he references the tone ofDuane Eddy and the early surf guitarists whilst playing the melodic runs and chordal patterns associated with traditional Cuban music.[5] He has been pictured usingFender Twin,Roland JC120 andFender Bassman amps, as well as aDunlop TS-1 stereo tremolo pedal.
