Musician. He was a Grammy Award winning percussionist. He was born Miguel Aurelio Díaz Zayas in the town of San Juan y Martinez, in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He studied classical percussion at the National School of Art in Havana and spent his first nine professional years recording and performing with the band Opus 13. But he made his reputation with the Cuban supergroup Irakere in the late 1980's and early 1990's, playing alongside the pianist Chucho Valdés. He then became one of the world's best-known percussionists and conga player. Also became part of the touring group associated with the "Buena Vista Social Club" phenomenon. He played on albums by Afro-Cuban All Stars, Omara Portuondo, Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer and others and this works earned him several Grammys. His last works were a major collaboration in the album Cachaíto and his own work "Echu Mingua." He releases his last show in august 4, in Barcelona, Spain. He died in his home of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain of a heart attack.
Musician. He was a Grammy Award winning percussionist. He was born Miguel Aurelio Díaz Zayas in the town of San Juan y Martinez, in the province of Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He studied classical percussion at the National School of Art in Havana and spent his first nine professional years recording and performing with the band Opus 13. But he made his reputation with the Cuban supergroup Irakere in the late 1980's and early 1990's, playing alongside the pianist Chucho Valdés. He then became one of the world's best-known percussionists and conga player. Also became part of the touring group associated with the "Buena Vista Social Club" phenomenon. He played on albums by Afro-Cuban All Stars, Omara Portuondo, Ruben Gonzalez, Ibrahim Ferrer and others and this works earned him several Grammys. His last works were a major collaboration in the album Cachaíto and his own work "Echu Mingua." He releases his last show in august 4, in Barcelona, Spain. He died in his home of Sant Sadurní d'Anoia, Barcelona, Catalunya, Spain of a heart attack.
Bio by: José L Bernabé Tronchoni
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