'Buena Vista' pianist Ruben Gonzalez dies

Australian Broadcasting Corporation ^ | December 9, 2003

[yonif]

Cuban pianist Ruben Gonzalez, a member of the Grammy-winning Buena Vista Social Club, has died in Havana, aged 84.

Gonzalez died after battling bone disease, complicated by kidney and respiratory problems, his wife Eneida Lima said.

Born in Santa Clara, Cuba, in 1919, Gonzalez studied music and medicine before moving to Havana in 1940.

He played with a series of groups including Arsenio Rodriguez and Enrique Jorrin's.

Then his later life took an unexpected twist when, in 1997, he joined the Buena Vista Social Club, whose members have become ambassadors of Cuban culture.

Their album sold four million copies worldwide and took home a Grammy.

German filmmaker Wim Wenders captured their work in his Buena Vista Social Club (1999).

Perhaps the club's best-known member, singer Compay Segundo, died in July at 95.

[Misterioso]

Ruben Gonzales was a wonderful pianist. In the words of Ry Cooder, "he was a cross between Thelonious Monk and Krazy Kat." If you have seen the movie "Buena Vista Social Club" you will know what I mean. The dictatorship of Fidel Castro deprived the world of some of the greatest Cuban music.

[perfect stranger]

He was an amazing piano player. He will be greatly missed in other countries as well, indeed by musicians and fans internationally, since the movie was released.

Thanks to Ry Cooder, and no thanks to Fidel.

His playing was similar to Dave Brubeck's style IMO.

[perfect stranger]