Cuban musician José Luis Cortés, better known as El Tosco, has just died in Havana as a victim of a “hemorrhagic stroke,” according to the Cuban radio station Radio Taíno.
Born in Santa Clara on October 5, 1951, from a very young age he showed exceptional aptitude for music. Barely a teenager, he entered the Cuban dance scene through the big door by being part of Los Van Van.
José Luis Cortés, endearing Tosco, has said goodbye. Universal influence and unquestionable charisma. From EGREM we say goodbye to the man, but not to the genius. Thanks for the music, Master ?#TheMusicLive pic.twitter.com/gfkiP2kWm5
— EGREM (@EGREMOFICIAL) April 18, 2022
Appreciating his virtuosity and talent, maestro Chucho Valdés called him to join Irakere, another mythical group in which he concluded his training as a musician and composer.
In 1988, El Tosco decided to found a new group, which he baptized NG la Banda, “Nueva Generación”, with which he made history for his contributions to the dance genre and jazz.
Graduated from the National School of Arts in the specialty of flute, in 2017 he received the National Music Award for his contribution to the development and expansion of Cuban music.
A man of unquestionable musical genius and a transcendental influence on Cuban music, also with a complex personality, there were many conflicts in which he was involved, from the treatment of women in the lyrics of some of his songs to accusations of gender violence.
A few minutes after learning of his death, many people have lamented the loss of one of the greatest contemporary Cuban musicians from the networks.
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