I still seem to be watching him walk slowly but steadily, upright and very well dressed, wearing one of the berets from his great collection, and that he almost always wore in combination with his clothes.

Many times, and even if you were not born in Camagüey, this city adopts you as a legitimate child, and that was what happened with this man from Cienfuegos who saw the light, on September 16th, 1938 and whose name is Orlando Rogelio Beltrán Brunett.

Recognition of your work

Outstanding musician, who began his musical studies when he was only eight years old and who worked not only as a skillful flutist, but also as a clarinetist, violinist, double bass player, and even a guiro player, although as he himself said, his true vocation was the saxophone.

Senderos Magazine, a publication of the Historian’s Office, dedicated an article to this man in number 22, written by the outstanding researcher and professor at the Nicolás Guillén Study Center, Verónica E. Fernández Díaz; for being one of the most versatile musicians in this province.

He always felt a great admiration for our heritage, being the faithful defender of it, because as I began my article, although he was not born here, he was an agramontino from Camagüey. Unbelievably, last year, exactly on December 25th, it was already a year since his death, but his legacy will always be in every corner of the Casa de la Trova, of the UNEAC, an organization to which he belonged from a very young age and to which he gave the best of his art; and in many other places in this town that admires him and will always do.

Friendship and dedication

I was linked by a beautiful friendship with him and his wife, not only because they were my mother-in-law’s neighbors for so many years and had close family ties with them in the neighborhood, but also professionally, because of their indisputable work both in the Maravilla Orchestra of Florida, as in the Trova Camagüeyana and Bella Época groups, it allowed us to carry out an infinity of works with its presentations in Carmen and Gallo Square and the different projects belonging to the Office of the Historian, an institution that always took him into account him and stood out for his undeniable artistic path.

Discovery and legacy

Facets never discussed about him, I was able to learn very recently, in a conversation with Elba, his partner for so many years, who revealed to me that he even studied as a dental technician with Master Rafael Lay, something that I think very few people know. Elegance, virtuosity and respect always characterized him, who knew him were delighted with the way he behaved and treated everyone, and as a teacher he is even remembered with great affection. Serve this article as a sign of admiration for him and his work that will transcend, I am sure, to future generations when good musicians are spoken of.

Translated by: Aileen Álvarez García