Ibrahim Ferrer
Wednesday, August 10th, 2005 by Paul Irishafro-cuban // cuban son
Right before his worldwide debut with the Buena Vista Social Club, Ibrahim was living in a croweded, tiny apartment in Havana and earned a living shining shoes. From the 50s through the 70s, Ferrer was deep into the Cuban music scene, but eventually was forced to give up on it and find more dependable pay. Ibrahim describes Ry Cooder’s arrival as such: “An angel came and picked me up and said, ‘Chico, come and do this record.'” The result was the Afro-Cuban All Stars record A Toda Cuba Le Gusta. Later, his strong sonero voice graced a number of records, from Sierra Maestra’s Rumbero Soy to Gorillaz’s epynomous debut. The bolero “Pensando en Ti” showcases his natural and evocative phrasing later supported by a cuatro solo by Barbarito and El Guajiro‘s trumpet solo.Like a grandfather living his boyhood dream, making everyone smile and dance.
Rest In Peace, Ibrahim.
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Soothing diversity. 1 Giant Leap was a project formed to “capture and weave together a unique fusion of sound, image and spoken word from some of the world’s most happening musicians, authors, scientists and thinkers.”[