The director, percussionist and vocalist Amado de Jesús Dedeu Hernández, one of the most important figures of the Cuban rumba scene, died this Sunday in Havana.
Born in the capital on November 8, 1945, throughout his career he joined groups such as Los Roncos, worked with Carlos Embale and was part of the National Folkloric Choir, remembered the Music and Entertainment Marketing Company “Ignacio Piñeiro”.
In 1982, Dedeu founded the renowned group Clave y Guaguancó, considered a benchmark of the genre, the entity highlighted when announcing the news of the musician’s death.
In addition, he highlighted his contribution to the artistic teaching of Afro-Cuban folklore and his recording legacy, including the album The Rumba is methat won a Latin Grammy in 2001.
Dedeu’s life was marked by intense work in community spaces where rumba is lived daily, the note states.
The artist’s body was laid to rest at the Zanja Funeral Home, in the Centro Habana municipality, and his funeral was scheduled for the afternoon of this Sunday.
Another loss for Cuban rumba: Luis Chacón Mendivel died
Dedeu’s death occurred a few days after the death, on February 10 in Havana, of Luis Chacón Mendivel, dancer and teacher of Cuban rumba, according to publications on the networks and reports from media such as Radio Cadena Habana.
Known popularly and artistically as “Aspirina”, Chacón Mendivel was an outstanding percussionist, singer, dancer, choreographer, composer and teacher of Afro-Cuban folklore, considered by specialists as one of the most complete rumberos.
In the 50s he worked with the popular Enrique Jorrín orchestra and in the early 60s he was one of the founders of the National Folkloric Ensemble (CFN). Then, in 1964, he founded the group Sikamarié, in the context of the rise of groups based on the Afro-Cuban polyrhythm promoted by Mozambique.
In addition, he collaborated with the National Folkloric Choir and established himself for decades as a soloist and teacher, on stages such as Tropicana and the Varadero International Cabaret.
