Dead: Ibrahim Ferrer of Buena Vista Social Club

at 78 years of age in havana august 6th. i'm going to miss this guy. he and his colleagues brought me alot of joy.

see him "live":

just look under "f" for ferrer. watch pbs. they'll likely show his Austin City Limits concert or Buena Vista Social Club documentary by Wim Wenders shortly.

http://www.pbs.org/klru/austin/artists/video_anthologya-z.html#i

lesley, if you're in montreal thursday, check out cuba night on ile ste helene. likely dedicated to him. i will go. i have a dominican business friend in town all week so we'll head there. anybody want to get in touch (514) 776-7656 with me there call me.

see link below:

http://www.festivallatinoamericano.com/home.php?Lg=ES&Pg=P2&TabNo=TAB_2

tomorrow's globe & mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050806.wferrer0806/BNStory/Entertainment/

the last paragraph about the bands he played with in the 1950's....when i first brought the buena vista social club music to my bar in las galeras 4 or 5 years ago the older folks mentioned that they recalled compay segundo and ferrer and others touring the dom rep 40, 50 years ago...not necessarily together. any of you dominicans with parents still alive..do they have memories of these tours?

anyway, i literally had old folks walking past the bar, coming in when they heard the music...looking at the insert and tears swelled in their eyes. ok i'm half irish, so i was touched. my scottish side asked for the 25 pesos for the drink (!). just kidding!