The House of Trova Pepe Sánchez, Cuba's most famous, celebrates half a century

I can not help thinking that the picturesque, musical and multicolored city of Santiago de Cuba has two cathedrals in its historic center, separated in time by 446 years:

One is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, founded in 1522 far away, in front of the ancient Plaza de Armas today Parque Céspedes, the iconic church of the city, fabulous for its architecture that makes it an icon of this city.

The other is the "temple" frequented by traditional Cuban trova cults, whether they are nationals or visitors, also located on Heredia Street.

"Officially" created on July 28, 1968, its initiators baptized the place with an essential name: Casa de la Trova Pepe Sánchez, in honor of the Father of Trova, the alfayat of San José José Sánchez, famous not only for his skill with scissors and blows in his fashion wardrobe but also for the treasure that he left with him. on the guitar and his musical compositions.

Half a century ago marks the "Pepe Sánchez". And when it is stated created "officially" it is leave the margin to a detail:

This July day of the 68th of the last century, there was no guitar played and it was sung for the first time, Long ago, Virgilio Palais, with its tenor "a capella", decorated the atmosphere of its kiosk of merchants

. Then, other cheerful domino and other players next to the Palace sales booth joined them. they would end up regularly in music downloads where anyone could take up the challenge of arpegging the strings or making their voices heard.

How many songs are born at the rhythm of these gatherings in the street Heredia, in front of a hotel of Casa Granda? How many themes have been created in the privacy of the room or patio of any house in Santiago to be created in Virgilio's premises? There are countless boleros or sons, many of those unforgettable and transcendent generations, who were heard for the first time publicly, in what would later become an authentic place of worship for the trova.

It was thus that took root the small space in the work of the troubadour music of Santiago de Cuba, which became an obligation for any bard of the city or other place of Cuba or foreign visitor, exhibitor his talents there.

The ineffable Ramón Cisneros Jústiz, in his years as a journalist in the Sierra Maestra newspaper of the time, two blocks from the "Casa …", narrated in editorial meetings, a thousand and anecdotes of the emergence of "Pepe Sánchez".

Cisneros Jústiz owes his first visits to this authentic Cuban trova cathedral in Heredia Street and to the knowledge we cherish of this sublime corner that the street vendor in the eastern fields, Virgilio Palace, has founded with many of his compatriots, lovers like him of the Cuban trova and bolero, this musical genre which for the luck of the world was born from the ingenuity of the tailor Pepe Sánchez

In this place of birthday today, admiration has left us without a word when Pucho the Pollero with the guitar on the neck, played as the best, or when a young man with a reserved face and always looking to the future , apparently not paying attention to the frets, made her hands fly on the handle. And is it unintentionally witnessed the birth of a wonderful world-clbad troubadour, owner of Grammy and other awards, which came to the world in the Songomayense Wasp Hill and which responds to the name of 39; Eliades Ochoa Bustamante, the same who exclaimed in the small shop of the "Casa …" to tell the story of Paul McCartney: "Ah! It is the Grammy Lord And he took it among the 15 CDs that he acquired.

Precisely until today, which was the only direct link of the author of "Yesterday" with the most authentic Cuban music, because it came to Santiago in January 2000 from Cuba to make the only visit that a Beatle made to Cuba.

Logically, the one who suggested that McCartney comes from a Caribbean island, had already alerted him: "I will take you to the city of Cuba where the best music". "Havana?" Asked the Beatle. "No," replied his guide, "I'm going to take you to Santiago de Cuba, and in the city he also drove to Casa de la Trova, where the musician bought CDs of traditional music and listened the group "Moneda Nacional." One remembers that someone gave Paul two keys and that a few clueless people wanted to teach English to his son.Mccartney with extreme courtesy told him in perfect Spanish:

"You do not have more time. It's like that "and he picks up the keys and plays the best sonero in the world.These kinds of stories are only experienced in the" Pepe Sánchez ".

It seems like when you go to- Beyond the threshold of the small hall everything changes because of the musical influence.This is an insurmountable endorsement for those who say they know Cuban music, say: "I sang … j & # 39; I played … I was at Casa de la Trova in Santiago "

In his stay in Santiago, on the short stage of" Pepe Sánchez "his voice and his guitar were played by L & # 39; 39, eternal Víctor Jara, this talented young Chilean troubadour that Pinochet cut his hands and cut his life in the Santiago National Stadium, during the coup d'etat to President Salvador Allende.

There are d & rsquo; countless relevant cases of Cuban and world music, or simply notable personalities who have visited the "trova cubai temple" Even many of these people have come to drink the essence that breathes this environment of sovereign singers, guitars and walls full of photos and historical inscriptions.

Lino Betancourt endearing, "living encyclopedia" of the troubadour genre, adds: his book "What my song says", a chapter that he entitled the most famous trova of Cuba . Describe the place:

"In a narrow hallway in the basement of the house that has been inhabited by the musician Salcedo for many years, next to the staircase that leads to the 39; On the upper floor, Virgilio set up a small table, his wife sold biscuits, cigars and cigars, but this precarious trade also began to decline, most of the time Palais did not, and to entertain his leisure time. He began to sing without any musical accompaniment and his voice was joined by Ramón Márquez and Mariano Carbonell Perete Anselmo Lainati, director of the Casa Granda hotel and neighbor of the top floor of the hotel. place that would be the "Casa …"

"Later, the guitar would arrive in the hands of Ángel Almenares. Then things changed. the trova santiaguera has reached a greater flight. Almenares made a duet with Márquez, alternated with Virgilio … When the Revolution triumphed in 1959 … it was already more or less home of the trova … And when years later the little place adjacent was released, the troubadours occupied it, founded Casa de la Trova and she was named Pepe Sánchez. "

Today, in comparison with Trova, this place is still the most famous in Cuba, the custom is preserved and the voices and guitars of the troubadours are heard daily, with the oriental son, the bolero and the 39, original image of Virgilio Palace as presentation stamp.

Fifty years after this July 28, 1968, the small special charming place was extended to the corner of San Felix Street, adding the following. space of an old picnic area, El Cocal; the upper floor has also been renovated and there is the comfortable Salón de los Grandes and the Son de Cuba Agency, with a catalog of 39; excellent musical groups.

Even the exact place where Palace and his companions created the Casa seemed to die with the pbadage of time but laudable initiatives in the city and an exquisite restoration work have returned to the 39, place its intimate atmosphere and troubadour rally. [19659002] The Company of recordings and musical editions of Santiago de Cuba has in the "Pepe Sánchez" a very special place. The organizers of the celebration of this half century of the House, led by Arturo Aguilera Riera, director of the institution, have ensured a good holiday today, in which there will be a tribute to the founders and those who started this musical adventure and today they are not among us

The 16 workers who currently operate the "Pepe Sánchez", included in this Bar Virgilio and the Patio, are determined to satisfy all those who go at the place open from 11:00 to 01:00 the other day. For this group is also the tribute for these 50 years.

Famous groups and soloists from the Sound Agency of Cuba and the Comercializadora Company of Music and Entertainment participate in the anniversary and together with the Cuban people in general and Santiago in special, remember an event that shows that the House of Trova Pepe Sánchez will forever remain the emblematic site of the troubadours, the temple where the most authentic Cuban traditional music is venerated every day.

The house of Trova Pepe Sánchez, the most famous of Cuba, today has a half-century

M.Sc. Miguel A. Gaínza Chacón

Photos: From the Author

I am right to say that the picturesque, musical and multicolored city of Santiago de Cuba has in its historic center two cathedrals, separated into the time by 446 years:

One is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, founded in 1522 far away, in front of the ancient Plaza de Armas today Parque Céspedes, l & # 39; iconic church of the city, fabulous for its architecture that makes it an icon of this city

The other is the "temple" frequented by followers of the traditional Cuban trova, whether they are nationals or visitors , also located on Heredia Street.

Officially created on July 28, 1968, its initiators They named the place with an essential name: Casa de la Trova Pepe Sánchez, in honor of Padre de la Trova, the alfayate of Sant Jose Antonio, famous not only for his skill with the scissors and the blow in his clothes fashion confections for the treasure that he bequeathed with the guitar and his musical compositions.

Half a century ago marks the "Pepe Sánchez". And when it is stated created "officially" it is leave the margin to a detail:

This July day of the 68th of the last century, there was no guitar played and it was sung for the first time, Long ago, Virgilio Palais, with its tenor "a capella", decorated the atmosphere of its kiosk of merchants

. Then, other cheerful domino and other players next to the Palace sales booth joined them. they would end up regularly in music downloads where anyone could take up the challenge of arpegging the strings or making their voices heard.

How many songs are born at the rhythm of these gatherings in the street Heredia, in front of a hotel of Casa Granda? How many themes have been created in the privacy of the room or patio of any house in Santiago to be created in Virgilio's premises? There are countless boleros or sons, many of those unforgettable and transcendent generations, who were heard for the first time publicly, in what would later become an authentic place of worship for the trova.

It was thus that took root the small space in the work of the troubadour music of Santiago de Cuba, which became an obligation for any bard of the city or other place of Cuba or foreign visitor, exhibitor his talents there.

The ineffable Ramón Cisneros Jústiz, in his years as a journalist in the Sierra Maestra newspaper of the time, two blocks from the "Casa …", narrated in editorial meetings, a thousand and anecdotes of the emergence of "Pepe Sánchez".

Cisneros Jústiz owes his first visits to this authentic Cuban trova cathedral in Heredia Street and to the knowledge we cherish of this sublime corner that the street vendor in the eastern fields, Virgilio Palace, has founded with many of his compatriots, lovers like him of the Cuban trova and bolero, this musical genre which for the luck of the world was born from the ingenuity of the tailor Pepe Sánchez

In this place of birthday today, admiration has left us without a word when Pucho the Pollero with the guitar on the neck, played as the best, or when a young man with a reserved face and always looking to the future , apparently not paying attention to the frets, made her hands fly on the handle. And is it unintentionally witnessed the birth of a wonderful world-clbad troubadour, owner of Grammy and other awards, which came to the world in the Songomayense Wasp Hill and which responds to the name of 39; Eliades Ochoa Bustamante, the same who exclaimed in the small shop of the "Casa …" to tell the story of Paul McCartney: "Ah! It is the Grammy Lord And he took it among the 15 CDs that he acquired.

Precisely until today, which was the only direct link of the author of "Yesterday" with the most authentic Cuban music, because it came to Santiago in January 2000 from Cuba to make the only visit that a Beatle made to Cuba.

Logically, the one who suggested that McCartney comes from a Caribbean island, had already alerted him: "I will take you to the city of Cuba where the best music". "Havana?" Asked the Beatle. "No," replied his guide, "I'm going to take you to Santiago de Cuba, and in the city he also drove to Casa de la Trova, where the musician bought CDs of traditional music and listened the group "Moneda Nacional." One remembers that someone gave Paul two keys and that a few clueless people wanted to teach English to his son.Mccartney with extreme courtesy told him in perfect Spanish:

"You do not have more time. It's like that "and he picks up the keys and plays the best sonero in the world.These kinds of stories are only experienced in the" Pepe Sánchez ".

It seems like when you go to- Beyond the threshold of the small hall everything changes because of the musical influence.This is an insurmountable endorsement for those who say they know Cuban music, say: "I sang … j & # 39; I played … I was at Casa de la Trova in Santiago "

In his stay in Santiago, on the short stage of" Pepe Sánchez "his voice and his guitar were played by L & # 39; 39, eternal Víctor Jara, this talented young Chilean troubadour that Pinochet cut his hands and cut his life in the Santiago National Stadium, during the coup d'etat to President Salvador Allende.

There are d & rsquo; countless relevant cases of Cuban and world music, or simply notable personalities who have visited the "trova cubai temple" Even many of these people have come to drink the essence that breathes this environment of sovereign singers, guitars and walls full of photos and historical inscriptions.

Lino Betancourt endearing, "living encyclopedia" of the troubadour genre, adds: his book "What my song says", a chapter that he entitled the most famous trova of Cuba . Describe the place:

"In a narrow hallway in the basement of the house that has been inhabited by the musician Salcedo for many years, next to the staircase that leads to the 39; On the upper floor, Virgilio set up a small table, his wife sold biscuits, cigars and cigars, but this precarious trade also began to decline, most of the time Palais did not, and to entertain his leisure time. He began to sing without any musical accompaniment and his voice was joined by Ramón Márquez and Mariano Carbonell Perete Anselmo Lainati, director of the Casa Granda hotel and neighbor of the top floor of the hotel. place that would be the "Casa …"

"Later, the guitar would arrive in the hands of Ángel Almenares. Then things changed. the trova santiaguera has reached a greater flight. Almenares made a duet with Márquez, alternated with Virgilio … When the Revolution triumphed in 1959 … it was already more or less home of the trova … And when years later the little place adjacent was released, the troubadours occupied it, founded Casa de la Trova and she was named Pepe Sánchez. "

Today, in comparison with Trova, this place is still the most famous in Cuba, the custom is preserved and the voices and guitars of the troubadours are heard daily, with the oriental son, the bolero and the 39, original image of Virgilio Palace as presentation stamp.

Fifty years after this July 28, 1968, the small special charming place was extended to the corner of San Felix Street, adding the following. space of an old picnic area, El Cocal; the upper floor has also been renovated and there is the comfortable Salón de los Grandes and the Son de Cuba Agency, with a catalog of 39; excellent musical groups.

Even the exact place where Palace and his companions created the Casa seemed to die with the pbadage of time but laudable initiatives in the city and an exquisite restoration work have returned to the 39, place its intimate atmosphere and troubadour rally. [19659002] The Company of recordings and musical editions of Santiago de Cuba has in the "Pepe Sánchez" a very special place. The organizers of the celebration of this half century of the House, led by Arturo Aguilera Riera, director of the institution, have ensured a good holiday today, in which there will be a tribute to the founders and those who started this musical adventure and today they are not among us

The 16 workers who currently operate the "Pepe Sánchez", included in this Bar Virgilio and the Patio, are determined to satisfy all those who go at the place open from 11:00 to 01:00 the other day. For this group is also the tribute for these 50 years.

Famous groups and soloists from the Sound Agency of Cuba and the Comercializadora Company of Music and Entertainment participate in the anniversary and together with the Cuban people in general and Santiago in special, remember an event that shows that the House of Trova Pepe Sánchez will forever remain the emblematic site of the troubadours, the temple where the most authentic Cuban traditional music is venerated every day.