Enrique Alberto Bonne Castillo is a Cuban popular musician, originally from San Luis, formerly in the province of Oriente. He was born on June 15, 1926. He lived in San Luis, Palma Soriano, and currently resides (2010) in the province of Santiago de Cuba. The entire population of that province is grateful for the existence of this master of masters in the Cuban popular music scene. A man undeniably faithful to his time, his people, and his culture.

He began his artistic career as a musical composer in 1950; in 1951, his first recording was made with the Cha-Cha-Cha “Italian Boy” by René del Mar and his group from Santiago de Cuba and the Hermanos Castro Orchestra from Havana. In 1953, Mariano Mercerón’s orchestra recorded the “Cha-Cha-Cha-Cha de la Reina” performed by Pacho Alonso, a number that was also recorded by Felipe Dulzaides and his group.

After 1959, he devoted himself more to music and recorded several musical numbers. In the early 1960s, he organized the percussion ensemble Tambores de Bonne, which played a prominent role in the festivities of the eastern region and, in particular, in the world-famous Santiago Carnival. With a deep attachment to popular music and its roots, Enrique Bonne is an authority on the carnival, for which he created music and dances, served as a judge, and advised groups such as Los Hoyos and La Placita.

Enrique Bonne has secured concerts at Caribbean festivals. He has also worked on drums in musical shows and on television, accompanying Ramón Calzadilla, Elena Burke, Farah María, Rosita Fornés, Rafael Somavilla, and Adolfo Guzmán (piano), Alberto Alonso’s experimental ballet with Cristy Domínguez, Tomás Morales, Gladys González, and other dancers, all of whom have performed brilliantly.

In 1997 he toured Colombia with the drums, performing with the Orquesta Los Van Van and Ismael Miranda from Puerto Rico.

Enrique Bonne is a great composer of popular and traditional Cuban music genres, a sonero and creator of the Pilón rhythm, a genre spread by his friend and fellow countryman Pacho Alonso.

His pieces “Que me digan feo” (Let them tell me ugly), “Dame la mano y caminamos” (Give me your hand and let’s walk), “A nadie le le muere un tío” (Anyone loses an uncle), and “No quiero piedras en mi camino” (I don’t want stones in my path) have enjoyed great popularity among renowned soloists and groups in Cuba. His other works include “Confidencial” (Confidential), “Granito de arena” (Grain of sand), “Se stambalea” (It wobbles), “Míralo aquí” (Look at him here), “Guajira simalé” (Guajira simalé), and ” Usted volvera pasar” (You will pass again). Figures such as Pacho Alonso, Fernando Álvarez, and the Aragón, Original de Manzanillo, and Estrellas Cubanas orchestras have achieved success with his songs.

This important Cuban musician has an extensive musical career, both in Cuba and abroad, and has also had the satisfaction of serving in other capacities representing Cuban music. He has developed an intense career as a composer, cultural promoter, and exceptional chronicler of his time.

Enrique Bonne represents the Authors’ Association as Director of the Victrola Company, La Vic-Cuba, in the former province of Oriente. When the TV station opened in Santiago de Cuba, he became director of music programming and later became head of programming and other departments. He has been a member of the Carnival Commission for 29 years. As director of artistic performances, he oversees government events held at La Gran Piedra and the Versalles Motel (Alturas de Versalles, Km 1.5, Santiago de Cuba).

Due to his intense musical career, long list of well-deserved recognition, and extensive musical knowledge, this notable Cuban musician was nominated by his province, Santiago de Cuba, for the Living Memory Award in 2010.