Sonora Gloria Matancera

Cuban Son Ensemble

Son band from Cuba, founded in the 20s by Juan Manuel Díaz Clemente. In 1949 it was the first band to record with Celia Cruz as singer. Some of the musicians playing on the band were: Carlos Díaz, tumbadora; José Luis González, timbales; Alejandro Sosa, piano; Francisco Bocalandro, contrabass; Rafael Ortiz, guitar; Asdrúbal, trumpet, Carlos Toledo, trumpet; Florencio Hernández, "Carusito" and José "Pepe" Meriño, vocals. After Juan Manuel Diez death in 1992, his son Arístides Emiliano Díaz Almeida became their director. They are still in active with three singers: Bárbaro López, Israel Díaz and Yamilé Rodríguez. Not to be confused with La Sonora Matancera (also coming from the same town: Matanzas, but a different band)