DR1 Daily News - Dominican Republic

Felix Cumbé / Diario Libre

The talented Felix Cumbe (born Critz Sterlin) passed away on 11 February 2025, not recovering fully from a stroke last year. He had been born on 4 August 1964 in Haiti but moved to the Dominican Republic as an eight year old boy, making his life as a musician in this country. He finally acquired Dominican citizenship in 2021. He is married and has two children.

His musical debut as a merengue song composer took place in the 1980s when Anibal Bravo’s merengue orchestra successfully performed his single El Gatico. His popularity, nevertheless, would soar and he would become part of Dominican culture, with his songs Feliz Cumbe (Christmas song) and Dejame Volver, made part of traditional Dominican music playlist by merengue star Fernando Villalona. Felix Cumbe is recognized for his contributions to both bachata and merengue genres.

In 2021, he went on a...