Ernesto Duarte Hernández, better known as Tito Duarte, is a prominent Cuban multi-instrumentalist. He was born on August 7, 1946, in Havana. He comes from a musical family, as his father was the composer and conductor Ernesto Duarte Brito, who also worked as a record label executive during the 20th century.

In Cuba, from a very young age, he was recognized as a great instrumentalist and original arranger in his father’s orchestra. After 1959, his family moved to Madrid. This musician was capable of playing percussion, saxophones, flutes, keyboards, and bass; he also worked as a song arranger, for example, in the group founded by Fernando Arbex, Barrabás (band).

Throughout his musical career, Tito Duarte has performed alongside prestigious artists such as Carles Benavent, Josep Mas “Kitflus,” Jorge Pardo, Max Sunyer, and Vlady Bas. He has collaborated with singer-songwriter Joan Manuel Serrat, both as a musician in his performances and on some of his albums.

Among his recordings, we must highlight Tito Duarte (also credited as I am your boss) on the RCA label in 1979; and also his CD Un directo… al sabor, released two years later on the same label. His album One man salsa was released in 2000.

While preparing his new production, La herencia del viejo sabor, three years later, he died unexpectedly in Córdoba. The work was almost complete and included a repertoire that included Cuban rhythms such as mambo and danzón; it also included collaborations with prestigious voices and internationally renowned instrumentalists.

Ernesto Duarte Hernández died on July 14, 2003; his album was released a year later as a posthumous honor.