Orquesta Baracoa formed in 1944 and  was originally called the Orquesta Renovation.   The name was changed in 1946 in order to honor the city.   Every 18th of November the orchestra has an anniversary party and celebrates with the whole town, dignitaries and all.

In its time the Orquestra has performed all over Cuba.  One tour in 1988 to the Isla de La Joventud to play at the Grapefruit Festival earned them the people’s choice award for most popular group.  This was a grand honour as the competition was stiff.

The people’s choice award is their philosophy, for the danceable music engages the crowd and their singers and musicians make a point of audience participation.   When the Orquesta starts to play, the phrase, “Up and Planing” comes to mind.

The Orquestra has attained the level of excellence in an evaluation from the National Institute of Music.  This institution travels the country and evaluates groups. This is a very important designation for any Cuban musician.

Since 2006 the Orquesta has been the accompaniment for the Festival de Boleros which occurs every February in Baracoa.  They also are a big participant in the Children’s Festival and the Festival of Baracoa Songs.  They also play backup for the dancers and soloists for the April 9th Carnival launch party.  As well, the Orquesta is a very popular addition to the town’s New Year’s Party.

The Orquesta has provided a valuable service in that it is the start of many professional musicians in Baracoa.  The accomplished graduates of music schools get chosen to play in the Orquestra.  What results is a vibrant, energetic sound mixing the flash of youth with the mellow tones of the old timers.  Orquesta Baracoa is a reflection of the dream of Cuba, for it is a mixture of age, experience and colour that works.

 

José Ramos Reyes Moreira - Director, Arranger/Bass guitar and Baby bass
Ramos has been studying music since a youngster with private teachers and has been a part of many amateur groups all through school, from first grade to university.  In 1989 he graduated from the Advanced School of Music as a professional with a specialty in bass guitar.  He became the director of Orquesta Baracoa in 1996 and continues to this day.

Ramos is a quiet man and a serious musician.  His calm, positive manner encourages the young musicians in his care and they blossom.  It is this attitude that contributes to the group’s popular success.

Freddys Colombie Macias - Singer and percussion
Freddys started to be a musician from an early age.  In 1997 he dedicated himself to be a serious percussionist and that same year joined the Orquesta.  His talent is his flexibility - he can be lead singer and just as quickly change back into a percussionist.

Erlaidis Sourt  Hernández - Singer
Erlaidis started his career as an amateur musician when he attended Art Instructors’ school in Guantanamo city, Guantanamo.  He has been in the group since 2008 as a drummer and lead singer.  Erlaidis can interpret many genres of dance music from son, salsa, to regueton.

Roberto Nenas Leyva Machado - Singer, guitarist and percussionist
Roberto spent his adolescence developing his music skills in various amateur groups.  He gained lots of experience participating in various festivals, both municipal and national.  From the Music School for Advanced Technical and Professional Training he graduated with a specialty in voice.  Since 1987 he has been a valuable member of Orquesta Baracoa.  In addition to the Orquesta he is involved in other musical projects in Baracoa.

Orlenis Fuentes Romero - Singer and percussionist
Orlenis is a self-taught musician who has learned his craft by participating in various amateur groups.  His professional career began in 1997 when he joined the group as a singer.  He is another musician who can move easily from percussion to voice and back.

Guillermo Nico Cardoza - Trumpet

Guillermo graduated from the Music Conservatory “Esteban Salas” in Santiago de Cuba.  He is the newest member of the group and brings big city sophistication to the choral section of the Orquesta.  He is an accomplished musician with an extensive repertoire who has inspired and improved the musicality of Orquesta Baracoa.

Danilis Alexander Carratala Matos - Trombone
Danilis is from Bayamo.  He graduated from the Art Instructor’s School in that city with a specialty in guitar.  He joined the Orquesta in 2000, and subsequently changed instruments from guitar to trombone.  He was aided in this switch by attending a semester at the School of Advanced Studies for Musical Professionals in Guantanamo.  Danilis’ smile and good humour are a valuable asset to the horn section.  Always the brass seem to be enjoying themselves and this is reflected in the liveliness and spontaneity of the music.

Rafael Noa Licea - Trombone and singer
Rafael began as an amateur in the Art Instructor’s School.  He completed his studies in the School of Advanced Studies for Musical Professionals with a specialty in trombone.  He has been a member of the group since 2006 and his talents are used principally as a singer.

This is another versatile talent, who can switch from singer to trumpet player to arranger and composer.  Rafael has a huge repertoire of all sorts of music and is a real asset to the group.

Carlos Espada Lafita - Percussion and drums
Carlos has honed his craft in various amateur groups.  He has participated in various musical productions.  He, too, is a graduate of Arte School and has been a member of the group since 2004.  Adding an essential base note to the Orquestra, his dynamic and creative treatment of the drums inspires their rhythmic musicality.

Roilan Wonder Leyva García - Congas and rap vocalist
As a youth Roilan followed his musical path from amateur to professional by participating in various music festivals.  He came to the Orquesta in 2003 with the principal job of percussion, both timbales and congas.  When the Orquesta wants to do something different, Roilan converts to a rap artist.  He is very popular with the young people of Baracoa.

Carlos Javier De Dios Suarez - keyboard, synthesizer and vocals.
While studying at the Art Instructor’s School, Carlos joined lots of different amateur groups.  Integrating with the Orquesta in 2004, his talent with the synthesizer is an important part of the Orquesta’s unique sound.  Carlos' talent extends to composition and he has contributed greatly to the augmenting of the Orquesta’s repertoire.

Orquesta Baracoa with Figaro                             Casita                       Author Unknown