Raúl Planas

Enrique Raúl Planas Fernández (September 18, 1920 – February 28, 2001) was a popular Cuban singer and songwriter. He performed and recorded with many bands and musicians, including Carlos Barbería y su Orquesta Kubavana, Sonora Matancera, Celia Cruz, Conjunto Rumbavana, Conjunto Chappottín, Charanga Rubalcaba, Rubén González, and the Afro-Cuban All Stars.

Early life Raúl Planas was born in Camajuaní, Villa Clara province, Cuba on September 18, 1920. At thirteen, he joined a number of son groups in his native town, and then the Conjunto Chappottín. Later on, he became a member of the Rubalcaba Orchestra. As a solo artist he released his first solo album, Señor del son, in the 1980s through Siboney. In the early 1990s, he formed part of Félix Reina's charanga. After turning independent, he guested on recordings such as the CD entitled Pasaporte (winner of the EGREM Great Award in 1994), with Tata Güines and Miguel "Angá" Díaz. The resulting album, Son Inconcluso, featured a full band including bassist Orlando "Cachaíto" López and Arturo "Alambre dulce" Harvey (ex-tresero with Conjunto Chappottín), among others, and was released in 1999 by EGREM.

In 1996, Planas joined the Afro-Cuban All Stars project directed by Juan de Marcos González, and participated in the recording of A Toda Cuba le Gusta, which was nominated for the 1997 Grammy Awards. This album again featured Rubén González and Orlando "Cachaíto" López, along with a big band of veteran Cuban musicians and singers such as Ibrahim Ferrer, Pío Leyva, Manuel 'Puntillita' Licea, and Félix Baloy. "Dicharachos Criollos", "Me Voy a Poner Pa' Tí", and "Sola Estás".

Selected discography As primary artist Señor del son (Siboney, 1980s) Te Invito Un Momento (EGREM, 1995) Para Todos Los Tiempos (Orun, 2002) – Recorded in 2000 La Vida Es Un Sueño (Connector, 2009) A Toda Cuba Le Gusta (Caney CCD 505, 1995) – Recorded in 1958–1959. Planas sings on tracks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 14, 16 Perlas Cubanas: Yo Soy Caguairán (Vintage Music, 2014)

With Orquesta Ritmo y Melodía Perlas Cubanas: Raúl Planas y Orquesta Ritmo y Melodía (Vintage Music, 2014)

With Conjunto Rumbavana Reencuentro Entre Soneros (EGREM, 1987)

With Charanga Rubalcaba Fundadores Del Sabor (1995) – Planas sings on tracks 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12

With Tata Güines & Miguel "Angá" Díaz Pasaporte (Enja, 1994) – Planas sings on "Rumberos Del Ayer"

With Rubén González Dos Grandes: Raúl Planas & Rubén González / Con la Orquesta Jorrín (EGREM, 2000) – Recorded in 1989

With Afro-Cuban All Stars A Toda Cuba le Gusta (World Circuit, 1997)

Compilations Son Del Mundo (EGREM, 2000) – Planas sings on "Como Siento Yo" and "Juancito Trucupey" De Cuba Son: Roots of Buena Vista (EGREM, 2000) – Planas sings on "Rumberos Del Ayer" and "A Mi Manera" Cuban Superstars (Direct Source, 2004) – Planas sings on "Rumberos Del Ayer" Cuban All Stars - Volume 2 (Connector, 2010) – Planas sings on "Los Herederos" Th'is Cuba: Hot Cuban Music (Promo Sound, 2011) – Planas sings on "Rumberos Del Ayer" Best of Buena Vista (Arc Music, 2012) – Planas sings on tracks 5, 9, 12, 17 El Gran Tesoro de la Musica Cubana, Vol.1 (2013) – Planas sings on "Soy Hijo del Siboney"