Félix Reina
Félix Reina | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Félix Rafael Herrera Altuna |
| Born | May 21, 1921 Trinidad, Cuba |
| Died | February 10, 1998 (aged 76) Havana, Cuba |
| Genres | Danzón, mambo, chachachá, bolero |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, bandleader, composer |
| Instrument | Violin |
| Years active | 1940s-1998 |
| Labels | Victor, Panart, EGREM |
Félix Rafael Herrera Altuna (May 21, 1921 – February 10, 1998), better known as Félix Reina, was a Cuban violinist, arranger, music director and composer. Since the mid-1940s, he was a member of many popular charangas, including Arcaño y sus Maravillas, Orquesta América and Fajardo y sus Estrellas. In 1959, after Fajardo went into exile, he became the leader of his orchestra, the Estrellas Cubanas, which he directed until his death. A prolific composer, his most performed danzones include "Angoa", "Los jóvenes del silencio" and "El niche". In the 1950s, he primarily wrote chachachás and his bolero "Si te contara" became a standard of the genre.