The Riverside Orchestra is a prominent Cuban popular music group, established in the late 1930s, specifically in 1938. Its repertoire included such popular songs as “Amapola,” “Naricita Fría,” “Ahora Seremos Feliz,” “Dulce Habanera,” “Almendra,” “Alguien Como Tú,” and “Vereda Tropical.”

This last song quickly became a smash hit, highlighting Tito Gómez’s splendid voice, the perfect interpretation of the music, and the jazz-band arrangement that this group boasted. The piece was recorded in 1950.

During its existence, the Riverside Orchestra has performed on various stages in several countries, including Puerto Rico, Curaçao, the United States, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Peru.

Its ranks welcomed illustrious musicians such as Enrique González Mántici, who served as its director; Adolfo Guzmán, Joseíto González, and Juan Bruno, as pianists; Orlando López (Cachaíto) on the double bass; and Marco Urbay and Eddy Martínez stood out on the brass band as trumpet players.

The Riverside Orchestra remained a major player in Cuban music throughout the 20th century, until its dissolution in 1993, remaining one of the most successful groups in the island’s musical history.

Currently, maestro Raúl Nacianceno, who was a saxophonist with the orchestra, is revitalizing this classic of Cuban popular music through a new group that already has thirty songs in its repertoire and is made up of young musicians who graduated from music conservatories. They are represented by promoter Benny Moré, and four songs have been recorded on Radio Progreso.