Cándido Fabré was born on September 20, 1959, in the municipality of San Luis, Santiago de Cuba. He is part of a musical family; his father played the tres, and his brother was a singer. He began singing as a child; at age seven, he was already improvising songs at school that caught the attention of his teachers. Later, he joined his brother’s orchestra, which contributed to his training in songwriting and music.

In his youth, he was part of a small group that was very popular in the 1960s. The group was called Los Samurai, and when they performed in public, people were already thoroughly enjoying Cándido’s improvisations, which brought joy to the town’s musical scene.

In 1975, he was called up for military service. Upon his release, he rejoined the music scene and began playing with his brother’s orchestra at a dance where the Rumbavana group also performed, featuring the vocals of Raúl Planas, a son tutor for young singers of his time. That day, Fabré received high praise from Planas, who was surprised to find a sonero prospect who would be making waves in the not-too-distant future.

In 1963, Cándido Fabré made his debut with the Orquesta Original de Manzanillo, conducted by Pachy Naranjo, an excellent composer, orchestrator, and musical guide in Cuban music. On the occasion of La Original’s 20th birthday, the orchestra performed in San Luis. Cándido showed Pachy a song titled “Coge el camarón” (Get the Shrimp); he sang it, and the Manzanillo musician immediately realized that he was a potential singer.

Later, Pachy Naranjo asked him to work at the Santiago de Cuba carnival. The Santiago audience was amazed by the singer’s improvisational style. This was the greatest opportunity of a lifetime for the San Luis singer. The musicians were surprised by Pachy Naranjo’s decision; it marked the beginning of a new era for the Manzanillo Original Orchestra, which had lost its lead singer, Manolo del Valle.

Cándido Fabré brings to La Original de Manzanillo the San Luis-style son: harpsichord, tres, maracas, and the essence of troubadours; thus enriching the Manzanillo son, which comes out a bit repetitively from the oriental organ. Then come the great hits of La Original with songs by Cándido Fabré: El guardián del Caribe (their first single); Abran paso que aquí viene la Original (Make Way, Here Comes the Original); A la hora que me llamaren voy (I’ll Call Me When), Córranse ahí caballeros (Get Out of Here Gentlemen), Deja que Roberto te tocar (Let Roberto Play You), La Habana quiere guarachar contigo (Havana Wants to Guarachar with You), and many more that were heard during the Cuban Salsa Boom at the end of the century.

In 1990, he attended the Cartagena de Indias Festival in Colombia. This festival is the most important popular music gathering held in the country. There, with the Orquesta Original de Manzanillo, he won the “Caracol del Caribe” award, the highest recognition offered at this event. He returned to Colombia in 1993 to participate again in the Cartagena de Indias Festival, this time with his own band, winning the “Caracol del Caribe” award again.

In 1993, Fabré left La Original, and with it, Pachy Naranjo’s orchestra lost its composer, improviser, timbre, and vocal leader. That same year, he assembled a group of excellent musicians and formed his own band, which is one of Cuba’s most popular concert groups, entertaining audiences to the point of delirium with its extensive repertoire.

He has performed in various countries around the world, highlighting the importance of Cuba and its music, including the Soviet Union, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Finland, Portugal, France, Mexico, Canada, Guadeloupe, Nicaragua, and others.

He has participated in important international events such as the WOMAD Festival in the Netherlands, the Duvargan Festival in Ireland, the Amsterdam Root Festival in the Netherlands, the Zabkowice Slaskie in Poland, and the ULM Festival in Germany.

Cándido is among the three most recorded composers in Cuba and abroad. Major international figures such as Celia Cruz, Marvin Santiago, El Canario, Oscar D’ León, Johnny Fernández, Jerry Medina, Joe Arroyo, and many other Latin salsa artists enjoy works by Fabré in their repertoire. He also composed the music for the soundtrack of Spanish director Bigas Luna’s film, “The Ages of Lulú.”

Many Cuban orchestras also have songs by this great Cuban musician in their repertoires, such as: Los Van Van, Elito Revé and his Charangón, Pedrito Calvo and Justice, Manguaré, Jóvenes Clásicos del Son, Yumurí and his brothers, Adalberto Álvarez and his Son, Manolito Simonet and his trabuco, among others.

With over a thousand recorded musical pieces, his musical hits include: Who’s Seen My Yarey Hat?, Cuban Salad, and Men Without Women.

On tour with his band in late 2010, which spanned various cities in the United States and was a resounding success, Cándido had the opportunity to meet and exchange experiences with major international music figures: Gilberto Santa Rosa, Ismael Miranda, and José Alberto, El Canario.

For 2011, Cándido will focus on producing a new album, whose main themes will be the Cuban national reality. Among the works included in this album is “Van Van No Es Cualquiera.”

Among the recognitions obtained by this great Cuban sonero, are: Medal for National Culture, Alejo Carpentier Medal, Abril Award from the National UJC, Replica of Benny Moré’s Cane and Hat by the ICRT, Cándido being the first artist to receive it, National Vanguard for several consecutive years, Neighborhood Award granted by the National Directorate of the CDR, Martyrs of Barbados Medal for being a worthy defender of Cuban sports, He was declared Adopted Son of the cities of Camaguey and Ciego de Ávila, Recognition from the UJC Bureau for his contribution to the tasks that the organization has within the field of recreation, Distinction of Effort La Victoria, the highest award given by the province of Granma, He was nominated for the Music Award in 2001 by the Cuban Institute of Music, which constitutes a high recognition of his outstanding artistic career, Raúl Gómez García Medal.

Cándido Fabré is the King of Cuban dance music improvisation. He delights audiences with his approach to song and lyrics; with his husky, sonorous, and liquor-soaked voice, he is one of Cuba’s most unique voices.

Discography: Cuba Dances with Cándido Fabré (1998), Little by Little (1998), Havana Wants to Guarachar With You (2000), I Am Cuban (2007).