Renowned Cuban musician Enrique Bonne passes away

Composer and musician Enrique Bonne passed away in this city on Tuesday at the age of 98, the first secretary of the Communist Party in Santiago de Cuba, Beatriz Johnson, informed on her social networks.

Bonne, born in the Santiago municipality of San Luis on July 15, 1926, was the creator of the Pilón rhythm. With more than 200 songs covering various genres, he stands out for his contribution to the idiosyncrasy of this Cuban city of which he is an Illustrious Son.

Enrique Bonne began his career as a composer in 1950. In 1951, the first recording of his music was made with the cha-cha-cha “Italian Boy” by René del Mar and his ensemble, from Santiago de Cuba, and the Hermanos Castro Orchestra from Havana.

In 1961, he founded “Enrique Bonne and his drums”, a percussion group that is still active and with which he has participated in major events in Cuba and abroad.

Among the awards that distinguish his career are the Distinction for National Culture; the Jesús Menéndez Medal, granted by the Cuban Workers’ Confederation (CTC); the Alejo Carpentier Medal, José María Heredia Plaques, and the 2016 National Music Award and the 2018 National Television Award.