Ibrahim Ferrer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ibrahim Ferrer
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Ferrer performing in 2004
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| Background information | |
| Born | 20 February 1927 San Luis, Cuba |
| Died | 6 August 2005 (aged 78) Havana, Cuba |
| Genres |
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| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1939–2005 |
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Ibrahim Ferrer (born February 20, 1927 – died August 6, 2005) was a famous Cuban singer. He was known for his amazing voice and for bringing traditional Cuban music to the world. He sang with many groups, including Los Bocucos for almost 40 years.
After retiring in 1991, he became famous again in 1996. He joined the Afro-Cuban All Stars and the Buena Vista Social Club. He then traveled the world with these groups and recorded his own albums. He passed away in 2005.
Contents
Early Life: A Young Singer's Start
Ibrahim Ferrer was born in a dance club in San Luis, Cuba. This town is near the city of Santiago de Cuba.
When he was just twelve years old, his mother died. This left him without parents, and he had to sing on the streets to earn money for food.
The next year, Ferrer started his first music group. It was a duet with his cousin called Jovenes del Son. This means "Youths of Rhythm" in Spanish. They performed at private events and earned just enough money to live.
Music Career: From Cuba to the World
Over the years, Ferrer sang with many different music groups. These included Conjunto Sorpresa and Chepín y su Orquesta Oriental.
In 1956, as the lead singer for Chepín y su Orquesta Oriental, Ferrer recorded his biggest hit song, "El platanal de Bartolo". In 1961, he also sang lead for Mario Patterson y su Orquesta Oriental. He sang on "Cariño falso," a very popular song in the guaracha music style.
Los Bocucos: A Long Musical Journey
In 1953, Ferrer began singing with Pacho Alonso's group in Santiago, Cuba. In 1959, the group moved to Havana for good. They changed their name to Los Bocucos. This name came from a type of drum used in Santiago called a bocú.
With Alonso, Ferrer mostly sang sones and guarachas. These are fast and lively songs. However, Ferrer really wanted to sing boleros, which are slower, romantic songs.
Ferrer stayed with Los Bocucos until he retired in 1991. From 1967, Los Bocucos became an independent group. Ferrer started singing lead more often instead of just backing up other singers. The group released several albums in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 1998, a Cuban music company called EGREM released Tierra caliente. This album was a collection of songs Los Bocucos recorded between 1970 and 1988. Ferrer was the lead singer on these tracks.
Global Fame: The Buena Vista Social Club
In 1996, Ferrer got a big chance to record music again. Music producer Nick Gold was looking for an old-style bolero singer. Ferrer joined the recording of the album A Toda Cuba le Gusta with the Afro-Cuban All Stars. This album was even nominated for a Grammy Award.
Right after that, he recorded the famous Buena Vista Social Club album with Ry Cooder. This album won a Grammy Award. It showed off Ferrer's amazing talent as a bolero singer and made him famous around the world.
In 1999, Ry Cooder helped Ferrer record his first solo album. In 2000, Ferrer was 72 years old when he received a Latin Grammy for Best New Artist. This was a huge achievement!
In 2001, he sang on a song called "Latin Simone (¿Qué Pasa Contigo?)" with the virtual band Gorillaz. After Ferrer passed away, Gorillaz played this song live to honor him in 2005, 2006, and 2018.
In 2004, Ferrer won another Grammy. However, he could not travel to the United States to accept his award. This was due to travel restrictions at the time.
Ferrer released his second solo album, Buenos Hermanos, in 2003. He continued to tour in Europe until 2005. In 2005, he also contributed to the album Rhythms Del Mundo: Cuba. This album featured collaborations with famous artists like Coldplay, U2, and Sting. Ferrer's last recording was Mi sueño, an album dedicated to bolero songs. It was released after his death in 2006.
Ferrer was also featured in two Gorillaz documentary films: Bananaz (2008) and Reject False Icons (2019).
Personal Life and Beliefs
Ibrahim Ferrer followed the Santería faith. This is a religion that combines traditional African beliefs with Catholicism.
Later Years and Legacy
Ibrahim Ferrer died at the age of 78 on August 6, 2005. He passed away from organ failure in Havana, Cuba, after returning from a tour in Europe. He was buried at the Colón Cemetery.
Ibrahim Ferrer's Albums and Songs
Albums
- Salsón (1982) – Ibrahim Ferrer & Conjunto Los Bocucos
- A Toda Cuba le Gusta (1997)
- Buena Vista Social Club (1997)
- Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer (1999)
- Buenos Hermanos (2003)
- Mi Sueño (2007)
- Buena Vista Social Club at Carnegie Hall (2008)
Compilations
- Mi Oriente (1999) – Recorded 1956–1961
- Tierra Caliente – Ibrahim Ferrer con Los Bocucos (2000)
- Mis tiempos con Chepín y su Orquesta Oriental (2002)
- La Colección Cubana (2002) – Recorded 1960s–1970s
- ¡Qué Bueno Está! (2004) – Recorded 1960–1961
- Ay, Candela (2005) – Recorded 1960–1988
- Rhythms Del Mundo (2006)
- Chepin Y Su Orquesta Oriental – Con: Ibrahim Ferrer (2014)
- Lost and Found (2015)
Singles
- "Silencio" (1999)
- "Buenos hermanos" (2003)
- "Boliviana" (2003)
- "El dandy" (2004)
- "Copla guajira" (2006)
Discover More
In Spanish: Ibrahim Ferrer para niños
