Ireno García, a prominent Cuban troubadour and composer, was born on September 24, 1954, in Havana.

His composition credit includes the creation, together with Mike Porcell, of the anthem for the World Festival of Youth and Students, held in Cuba. In the 1980s, he participated in a program promoting young composers, where Silvio Rodríguez presented his piece “Canción para recordar a María” (Song to Remember Maria), where he received an award.

He performed in a concert titled “Entre poemas y canciones” (Between Poems and Songs) at the National Museum of Fine Arts theater (Trocadero Street between Zulueta and Monserrate, Old Havana, Havana). He made his debut there with his group, which includes Maiyelis Martínez (tres), Pedro Enrique Peña (guitar), Helen Puldón (second guitar), Lis Amor Zaldívar (cello), and Maurice Arteaga (minor percussion).

Songs such as “Querencias,” “Peticiones,” “Lejanía,” “A la deriva,” “La rueda de la suerte,” and “Fábula de mayo” delighted the audience. Guests included dancer Jorge Luis Begué, who performed improvised movements during the performance of “Nobody Knows About My Heart.” For “Homage to Laughter,” Lucía Huergo played the soprano saxophone.

In June 2011, he gave a concert with Marta Campos at the Margarita Casallas Hall of the El Mejunje Cultural Center in Santa Clara, as part of their national tour commemorating the 35th anniversary of the two Cuban musicians’ artistic careers.

Ireno García performed his songs “Con tanto,” “A la deriva,” “Fábula de mayo,” “La rueda de la suerte,” “La fuente,” “Ahora,” “María Fernanda,” “Ballads of the End of March,” and the popular “Andar la Habana,” the farewell theme song for the television program of the same name. On that occasion, he performed his song “Nobody Knows About My Heart” with Marta, along with the singer-songwriter “La negrita se alborota.”

For several years, he has been working alongside the renowned actress Coralita Veloz, who recites poems between songs. He uniquely interprets the poetic work of the distinguished Cuban Eliseo Diego.

Discography: Ireno García (2004); Ireno García, Coraleando (2007); Ireno García sings to Eliseo Diego (1998).