Orquesta Failde Reaffirms Commitment to the Musician of Its Roots

“Miguel Failde: We have not forgotten you!” —this is the commitment reaffirmed by the popular Orquesta Failde on its official Facebook page, as today marks the 173rd anniversary of the birth of the composer of the first danzón, Las Alturas de Simpson.

In the digital post, the ensemble, which champions Cuban sounds across the island and the world, notes that Failde was born on December 23, 1852, and died on December 26, 1921. For this reason, they always honor him during this month.

“As promised, after some time away from home, we will be close to our people in Matanzas this year-end; thanks to the municipal and provincial Cultural Directorates for making it possible,” stated the group.

It was announced that on Calle Velarde—a street historically linked to the prominent composer, as it is where the building in which Failde lived and died is located—a concert will be held this Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. to celebrate his cultural legacy.

Next Friday, December 26, the day marking the 104th anniversary of Miguel Failde’s passing, Cuban cultural promoters and other representatives of the people will, as is tradition, make a pilgrimage to his tomb at the San Carlos Borromeo Cemetery to pay tribute.

The group’s social media post also announced that this coming Sunday, the Casa del Danzón, located on the central Calle del Medio, will host a dance and a fraternal bandos encounter between Havana and Matanzas, scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

A native of Matanzas province, Miguel Failde endures as the creator of the danzón, a genre that became Cuba’s national dance and an intangible cultural heritage of the nation. The musician’s legacy inspires the existence of the Orquesta Failde, led by his descendant Ethiel Failde.