Compay Segundo is a name that resonates profoundly within the realm of traditional Cuban music. Born as Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz on November 18, 1907, in Siboney, Cuba, he adopted his stage name, Compay Segundo, which translates into “second compadre,” an allusion to his often being second voice in his musical partnerships.
Compay Segundo’s musical journey began at an early age when he learnt to play the guitar and tres, a Cuban string instrument. His professional career took off in the 1930s with the formation of the duo ‘Los Compadres’, with Lorenzo Hierrezuelo. With his unique style of harmonizing and his mastery of the armónico, a seven-stringed guitar-like instrument he invented, Compay Segundo contributed significantly to the sound of Son Cubano, a genre of music and dance that originated in the highlands of eastern Cuba.
However, it was in the twilight of his life that Compay Segundo gained international fame as a member of the Buena Vista Social Club. This ensemble of veteran Cuban musicians was brought together by American guitarist Ry Cooder in the mid-1990s. The resulting album, Buena Vista Social Club, was a smash hit worldwide, revitalizing interest in traditional Cuban music and catapulting its elderly members to a fame they had never previously enjoyed.
Despite his late-life success, Compay Segundo remained humble and dedicated to his music until his death on this day July 13, 2003 in Havana, Cuba. His deep-rooted love for Cuban music, his innovative contributions to the genre and his indomitable spirit have left a lasting impression on the world of music. Today, Compay Segundo’s legacy lives on through the timeless music he created and the renewed global interest in Cuban music that he helped spark.
Curated by Jennifer
