Tuesday, 09 August 2011 16:03
Our Orlando Cachaíto López. Photo courtesy of guardian.co.uk
Pleasurably listening once more to the Buena Vista Social Club's magical initiator and creator, I became inspired to tell you of a Havanian through and through, who has a well-deserved place of honor at the Olimpo Universal among the greatest musicians of all times: the immortal Orlando "Cachaíto" López.
Ranked as one of the best bassists in Cuba and the world, "Cachaíto" was a true marvel in his difficult instrument, always achieving lucid performances, an excellent balance between jazz, popular music and classical.
Born in Havana into a family of musicians, he was inclined to this art at an early age. Since he was little, he carried a briefcase with his father's scores used in rehearsals and "Orquesta Sinfónica's" performances, and also in "Arcaño y sus Maravillas." Showing a previous inclination toward the violin, his family's tradition prevailed, so that he first embraced the cello and ended with the instrument that accompanied his entire life: the bass.
His career soared, and at just 17 years old, he became the bassist for the popular group "Arsenio Rodriguez," setting the band's standards and becoming a constant reference to very thankful dancers. He was also part of the fabulous band "Riverside;" and a few years later, in 1960, continuing in his father's footsteps, he became a bassist for the National Symphonic Orchestra, while perfecting his work with classes given by the renowned Czech bassist, Karel Kopriva.
In the 60's and 70's, many Havana nightclubs served as his stage, accompanying César Portillo de la Luz at the "El Gato Tuerto", or Omara Portuondo at the "El Pico Blanco", or recording discs from the popular quartet, "Los Zafiros." Like this, alongside figures like the pianist Chucho Valdés and saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera, "Cachaíto" played in the National Symphonic Orchestra's "Jazz Combo." He also was a part of the "Orquesta Cubana de Música Moderna" (The Modern Music Cuban Orchestra) a group that rocked and revolutionized the 60's Cuban music scene.
With his talent and professionalism, he was added to the "Afro Cuban All Stars," he recorded the immortal pianist Rubén González's albums and joined the now legendary "Buena Vista Social Club," as a key figure in the World Circuit's recordings (so much so that he was the only musician to perform in the album's 14 tracks). In the last years of his life, he recorded an album with the complicity of percussionist Miguel Angá Díaz, with whom he achieved a very personal and unique product, with new sounds and instruments. The Times specialized critics categorized it as, "Cuba's most exciting release since Buena Vista."
Cachaíto masterfully developed a distinctive Cuban bass style —playing high-tones, precisely and powerfully— combined with extraordinary rhythmic and tonal change abilities, which added to his imaginative solos, showing his huge swing and groove.
Upon learning of Orlando "Cachaíto" López's death, his friend, the "timbalero" Amadito Valdés, declared, "It's an irreplaceable loss for Cuban music; he was the last member of a bass dynasty."
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