Maravilla de Florida, a prominent Cuban popular music group, founded in 1948 in the municipality of Florida, in the Cuban province of Camagüey. It was established under the name Armonía del 48 (Armonía del 48), and had José Reyes Austing as its first director. The following year, in 1949, its name changed to Jóvenes Estrellas (Young Stars) and later to Maravilla. Later, in 1959, under the direction of Filiberto Depestre, it became known as Maravilla de Florida.

In its early days, the orchestra entertained local dances, showcasing a repertoire of danzón. It was made up of amateurs, so for them, music was their second profession.

In 1963, Pedro Depestre González took over the management.

This renowned Cuban popular music orchestra embarked on its first international tour in 1974, under the baton of Fernando Cabrera, touring countries in the Middle East, such as Syria, Lebanon, and Morocco. Over the next two years, they continued performing on international stages in Europe and Africa. In 1975, they performed in Romania and Czechoslovakia; and in 1976, they toured Cape Verde, Mali, Guinea, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Congo Brazzaville.

In the 1980s, in 1981, the orchestra traveled to Angola, Zimbabwe, Democratic Yemen, and Ethiopia, where they gave successful performances. Toward the end of this period, they visited Mexico.

Subsequently, the direction of Maravilla de Florida was assumed by Manolito Simonet, a Cuban musician who replaced Fernando Cabrera, who held that position from 1975 to 1987.

Maravilla de Florida is currently made up of fourteen musicians and has been directed since 1997 by Norberto Puentes Quintana.

Their repertoire is primarily based on rhythms such as Cha-Cha-Cha, Son, Danzón, Bolero, and Guaracha. They also explore other musical genres such as Latin Jazz, Merengue, and Cumbia.

Maravilla de Florida has performed countless songs, many of which have been huge hits and have earned them a place in Cuban music history. They also occupy top spots on radio and television charts. Among them are “Que tiene esa mulata” and “Rica mulata.”

He has taken his music to various national venues such as Varadero Beach, the Tropicana Cabaret (4504 72nd Street, Marianao, Havana), the Habana Libre Hotel (L Street, corner of 23rd Street, Vedado, Plaza de la Revolución, Havana), and the Karl Marx Theater (1010 1st Avenue, Miramar, Playa, Havana). This list includes plazas and stages located in all Cuban provinces.

Their discography includes more than twenty productions. They have left their mark on both the old acetate and new CD formats. Their latest releases include titles such as Maravilla de Florida. Vieja, pero se queda (Wonderful, but still holds its own), conceived by the Envidia label. This label features songs such as Tal vez mañana (Maybe Tomorrow), Lo buen se hizo (Good is over), Gente falsa (Fake People), Vieja pero se queda (Old but still holds its own), and Homenaje a Elio Revé (Homenaje a Elio Revé). Other productions include Levántate y baila (Get up and dance); and Yo te doy la clave (I give you the key), among others.

Maravilla de Florida is one of Cuba’s legendary orchestras. Its long and intense history in the Cuban musical scene has made it a favorite among Cuban and international audiences. It is considered one of Cuba’s leading popular music and brass band orchestras. It is also listed as the second oldest Cuban popular music group.

Discography: Get Up and Dance (1995); Florida Wonder: 50 and More Wonders (1999); Florida Wonder: Old, but Still Going (2001); I Give You the Key (2005).