Pedro Depestre

Life and career He joined Orquesta Aragón in 1958, at age thirteen, replacing his father, Filiberto Depestre Méndez. In 1963, he became director of Orquesta Maravillas de Florida, another charanga similar to the Aragón, again replacing his father. He later directed the Orquesta Típica Juventud, based in Santiago de Cuba, for many years, releasing several albums.

Depestre also worked for Orquesta ICRT and EGREM, Cuba's national record label. In 1979, he took part in the Estrellas de Areito recordings, improvised jam sessions featuring the most prominent musicians residing in Cuba at the time. He was later first violinist and music director of the Tropicana Club orchestra.

In the late 1990s, Depestre played in several studio recordings by the Buena Vista Social Club project, which were released on albums by Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. He did not tour with the band until 2001, when he joined bassist Orlando "Cachaíto" López for his European tour. On the first show of the tour, in Basel, Switzerland, Depestre died on stage after playing a solo. He was 55 years old.

Discography As leader 1999: Son charangas y pasiones (Latin World)

With Orquesta Típica Juventud 1975: XI Festival Mundial de la Juventud y los Estudiantes, Habana, Cuba, 1978 (Areito) 1983: Mi orquesta sigue igual (Siboney) 1985: Se va pegando (Siboney) 1996: Lo mismo bailo un son (live, recorded 1972)

As sideman 1980: Estrellas de Areito – Vol. 3 (EGREM) 1999: Ibrahim Ferrer – Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer (World Circuit) 2000: Omara Portuondo – Buena Vista Social Club Presents Omara Portuondo (World Circuit) 2001: Orlando "Cachaíto" López – Cachaíto (World Circuit) 2015: Buena Vista Social Club – Lost and Found (World Circuit, recorded 1996–2004)