The group Loly y sus Atrevidos was born on the 16th of September, 2006.  The following years were a busy time for them.  They participated in many festivals such as: Fiesta a la Guantanamera in 2006 and 2009, Baracoa’s Carnival, the Anniversary of the First of April, project TURNAT, 48th Anniversary of the CDR, Fiesta del Caribe and El Patio La Sandunga in Guantánamo.  At this time the group mainly performs at the la Casa de la Trova Victorino Rodríguez and Casa de Cultura Cecilio Gómez Lambert in Baracoa.  

Another big achievement was to gain the category A from the evaluation of Roberto Masso Wilson, a methodology inspector from the National Council of the Casa de Cultura in Havana.

The members of the group are mainly sons and daughters of country folk and they stem from proud, humble families.  An example of their resourcefulness is that they have made all their own instruments.  All the blue instruments that you see in the picture are handmade by members of the group.

The musical genre that inspires them is the bachata and you will find this rhythm in many of their original compositions.  The group continues to work hard at their craft and hopes one day to attain their full professional status.  

Eloides (Loly) Matos Toirac - Director, composer, guitarist, singer and animator

Loly started his musical career early in life.  He was a part of many groups in school and in the neighbourhood where he lived.  As a youngster, he won awards at the National level.

In 1998, Loly formed part of a duo in Manzanillo, Granma province, and played at lots of local parties, carnivals, etc.  This duo was recognized as an outstanding participant of the Festival of Country Folk which took place in Bayamo, Granma province.

In 2005 in the town of Imias, Guantanamo province, he founded his own group.  Because of his move to Baracoa in 2005, this group lasted only a year.  This change of scene was beneficial to his career because with the new group, Loly y sus Atrevidos, he began to get regular gigs in Baracoa and to improve and hone his talent.

Loly has lots of charisma and he gets right into the audience of his shows, serenading the ladies and dancing with the spectators.  Though self taught, he is an original, with compositions and arrangements to his credit, especially in the bachata genre.  His high warble is distinctive and unique.

 Orlis Matos Fernández - Administrator, guitarist, tres player

Orlis started playing the guitar at a young age.  Music is a tradition in his family and he joined in family gatherings with his guitar right from the start.   Guitar lessons began his serious musical path and for three years in secondary school he augmented his lessons playing with a group. The tres became his instrument of choice and with his facility with the instrument he was secured a place with Loly y sus Atrevidos.  Orlys is their principal trecero and brings a passion and dexterity to the instrument that is infectious.

Carlos Cesar Lores Rodríguez - Arranger and lead guitar

Carlos started as a young man as a strolling minstrel, playing his guitar and singing ballads in various festivals.  While attending the teacher’s college Raúl Gómez García in Guantanmo, he kept his interest in music.   Upon graduation he moved to Maisi and joined a group called Estrella Juvenil.   The big city beckoned and since moving to Baracoa in 1997 he has been a part of Loly y sus Atrevidos.

Idel Figuera Rodríguez - Guitar and bass.

Idel participated in school festivals as a troubadour.  His first group was Brisas del Miel where he played the bass.  While working for MININ (Ministry of the Interior ) he participated in lots of union organized musical activities and festivals.  Ibel is one of the founding members of Loly y sus Atrevidos and continues playing with them to this day.

Roldys Polo Pérez - Singer, composer and arranger/second guitar

Music grabbed his attention early on, and Roldys began to compose his own songs from a young age.  In fact, one of his compositions won the first prize in the Festival of Amateur Musicians. This was a big honour as it was a national competition.  Roldys competed in various other provincial and national festivals and always obtained good marks.  He learned to play the guitar to facilitate his writing skills, and this guitar has turned into a loyal and loving companion.  After playing with various groups he settled in with Loly y sus Atrevidos, and there you will find him to this day.

Sonnys Saname Matos  - Singer, percussionist

Sonnys, who is 19, has been performing since he was 2.  He comes from a musical family and has performed with his father Felipe in Bara-rumba, an Afro-Cuban folkloric troupe as a percussionist.  Sonnys sang in an infant choir called The Cacao Flower  in which his Mother Martika was the director.  His career path was pre-destined and he has now graduated from Art Instructor's School as a qualified teacher.  Sonnys is now one of the newest members of Loly y sus Atrevidos.. 

Marianela Matos Lafitta-  Singer, guayo

Marianela has been an artist nearly  all her 22 years.  At school she specialized in theatre, music and dance.   Four years of art school has seen her graduate in 2008 as  a professional dance instructor.  In the day she teaches dance to young people and for two years now Marianela  has been a singer and guayo player in Loly y sus Atrevidos.

 

 Eulis Matos Matos- percussionist

Eulis started with the group Yerba Buena as their promoter and representative.
This time was a valuable experience as he was in charge of scheduling Yerba Buena for all the various festivals, danzon parties and anniversaries that form life in Baracoa. He diversified his musical genre by joining a rap group called Fusion Barrio 6,  With this group he entered the Rap Festival of Baracoa in 2005 and they won first prize for new group.  2006 saw them win the prize for the best fusion group. His next group was Salsa D Capoly where he was privileged to perform for The Governor of Guantanamo.  Eulids joined the Municipal Concert Band in 2009 and plays with them as well as with  Loly y sus Atrevidos. 
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