Renesito Pays Tribute to Compay Segundo at Fogartyville in Sarasota

Award-winning tres player Renesito Avich has put together an all-star band to pay tribute to the music of legendary Cuban composer Compay Segundo at the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center on Friday, January 14 at 8pm.  The Band consists of Avich on guitar/tres guitar/vocals, Mauricio Rodriguez on bass, Andy Fornet on percussion, and Otto D. Ferreiro on vocals. Tickets are $22 for members and $26 for non-members. Advance tickets are available at WSLR.

Many people discovered Compay Segundo thanks to the Buena Vista Social Club. However, Compay had been making music long before he crossed paths with Santiago Auserón or Ry Cooder.  During the course of his long career, Segundo performed with many legendary acts, including Cuban Stars, Cuarteto Hatuey, and Conjunto Matamoros. He also formed his own bands such as Duo Los Compadres with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo and Compay Segundo and his Muchachos. 

Segundo experienced international acclaim and commercial success in 1997 as part of the Buena Vista Social Club, an ensemble of Cuban musicians. Compay Segundo, in his 90s, was a Cuban living legend, a crucial bond with Cuba’s rich Spanish and African-influenced musical past. He became an international music star, playing for sold-out audiences in Spain, England, and other European countries.   In the year 2000, at the age of 93, Compay Segundo recorded Las Flores de la Vida which was meant as a message to the youth, to encourage them to be patient because the flowers of life will come at some point during their lifetimes. 

A native of Santiago, Cuba, Renesito is a natural singer, guitarist, and percussionist. By age 15 he was touring all across Europe: Spain, France, Italy, Finland, and Germany and in 2014 moved to Sarasota to continue living his dream.  Renesito is the winner of several national competitions: Festival Contest “Ignacio Piñeiro”, “Cubadisco Award 2011”, “Competition Ignacio Villa AHS” 2013, the Gold Title of the University of the Arts of Cuba, and the 2014 Cubadisco Award.

Photo from Fogartyville