Alfredo Brito: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

Line 34:

== Early years ==

From a very early age, following in the footsteps of his father and brother Julio, he became interested in learning musical techniques, learning [[Music theory|theory]] and [[Sol-fa system|sol-fa]] with the former and drums with the latter.<ref name=“cfamosos”>{{Cite web |title=Alfredo Valdés-Brito Gamba |url=https://www.cubanosfamosos.com/es/biografia/alfredo-valdes-brito-gamba |access-date=2024-09-11 |website=Cubanos Famosos |language=es}}</ref>

He took his first professional steps at the age of 16 as a drummer in [[:es:Eddy Gaytán|Eddy Gaytán]]'s band at the club/restaurant La Rue 19, an elegant venue located on 19th Street in the [[Vedado]] neighborhood.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

From there he became part of the orchestra that accompanied the musical show at the [[Hotel Sevilla]] directed by maestro Pomares.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

Later he joined his father's orchestra as a percussionist at the Parisien Club of the [[Hotel Nacional de Cuba|Hotel Nacional]].<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

Later the Chilean [[accordionist]] Larry Godoy proposes him to join his group to perform at the Doble o Nada lounge of the Hotel Riviera, and hires him as a singer as well as a drummer, which he had been interested in for some time, so he decides to accept the offer and becomes part of the new group.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

At the end of the Riviera's contract, he returns to the Parisien Club of the Hotel Nacional, this time with Yoyo Casteleiro's orchestra, replacing [[Walfredo de los Reyes]] on drums and singing with Kiko Rodríguez.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

While performing there, he studied [[harmony]] and [[counterpoint]] with professor Enrique Belver, piano with the outstanding [[concert pianist]] Rosario Franco and singing with [[soprano]] Margarita Horruitiner. He begins to make his first [[orchestration]]s, which are interpreted by the same orchestra of the hotel and also to write songs. It is then when the singer Leonora Rego [[Sound recording and reproduction|records]] his song "Desde la eternidad de un beso" on [[EGREM]] records.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

At the same time, he came up with the idea of forming a [[vocal quartet]], for which he first counted on his brother Julio, who immediately joined the group, and they both set about the task of finding the other two members. They begin to shape the repertoire and Alfredo starts to create the vocal and [[instrumental]] parts for when the two remaining voices appear.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quiroga |first=Orlando |date=1970-06-12 |title=Busque a "Los Brito" para que le canten un cuento |trans-title=Look for "Los Brito" to sing you a story |url=https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/00/02/90/10/03404/12_junio_1970_24.pdf#page=50 |access-date=2024-08-18 |publisher=Bohemia |place=La Habana, Cuba |page=97 |language=es |quote=...Julio says... things started one morning when my brother Alfredo became infatuated with '''forming a quartet'''... I liked the idea and '''we started to prepare'''... we both composed, and Alfredo was also an arranger and I played the drums... '''we started rehearsing''' without lead vocals...}}</ref> The first to join the future group is Pedro Sánchez, “El Nene” as his friends call him, later Mercy Díaz Suárez -whom he will marry in 1968– joins the quartet.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Quiroga |first=Orlando |date=1970-06-12 |title=Busque a "Los Brito" para que le canten un cuento |trans-title=Look for "Los Brito" to sing you a story |url=https://ufdcimages.uflib.ufl.edu/UF/00/02/90/10/03404/12_junio_1970_24.pdf#page=50 |access-date=2024-08-18 |publisher=Bohemia |page=97 |language=es |quote=...we were rehearsing without '''the first voice''' appearing. And suddenly, bang! Mariana de Gonitch found her. It was one of her students, '''Mercy Díaz'''...including the premiere of "Para los dos", which '''Alfredo''' composed for '''Mercy''' on their '''wedding day'''...}}</ref>

Line 61:

In 1970, the Cuban government conducted a [[Survey (human research)|poll]] to select the artists who would represent Cuba at the [[Varadero]] International Festival, and Los Brito were chosen by [[Straw poll|popular vote]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cuarteto Los Brito. {{!}} Cultura Cubana |url=https://culturacubana.net/11-15-5-cuarteto-los-brito/ |access-date=2024-08-18 |language=en-US |quote="Los Brito" entered the '''Varadero Festival''' roster in 1970, when they were '''chosen by popular vote''', thanks to the majestic fame they had achieved.}}</ref>

When the quartet was dissolved due to the absence of Julio and Abelardo, Alfredo and Mercy created the duo of the same name, making popular Brito songs such as "Mariela", "Un hasta luego", "Tiernamente, para siempre" and others.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

As musical director of both groups, Alfredo Brito was responsible for all vocal and orchestral arrangements for both groups.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

Well-known artists such as [[Celia Cruz]], [[Garibaldi (group)|Garibaldi]], Maggie Carlés and Luis Nodal, [[Salsa Kids]], Ojedita, [[:es:Sylvia Pantoja|Sylvia Pantoja]], Voces Latinas, Azuquita or [[:es:Los 3 Sudamericanos|Los 3 Sudamericanos]], among others, have recorded his songs and orchestrations.<ref name=“cfamosos”/>

== Discography ==