Los Zafiros

Formed in 1962, Los Zafiros were a vocal quartet augmented by the guitarist and arranger Manuel Galban. Originally inspired by American vocal groups such as the Platters and the Coasters, they soon added their own Cuban flavour to create a unique and heady mix of doo-wop, ballads and boleros, soul and samba, tumbaos and twists. They were unique among vocal groups in that they had three lead singers amongst Ignacio Elejalde and his sweet, high tenor, Eduardo Elio Hernández, Miguel Cancio and Leoncio 'Kike' Morua. But in many ways it was Galban who was the architect of the Los Zafiros sound, as instrumentalist, composer and, with Kike, arranger of the vocal parts. "I don't know why they chose me," he says. "To play the guitar with a vocal quartet was a novelty and therefore rather difficult. But pianos were starting to disappear from a lot of venues so a guitar was a good alternative. They also needed a musical director. They were a success from the moment they appeared and my job was to support them and perfect and develope the sound."

Discography

Bossa Cubana

Bossa Cubana La Luna en tu Mirada Mirame Fijo Dichoso Mar Por no Compderte Y Sabes Bien Cancion de Orfeo Mi Amor, Perdoname Cuando yo la Conoci La Caminadora He Venido Puchunguita, Ven Herido de Sombras Si Corazon Mi Oracion Un Nombre de Mujer Canta lo Sentimental

The five young men of Los Zafiros (The Sapphires) had a brief but legendary career as doo-wop/pop stars due to their extraordinary sound’ the vocal virtuousity of doo-wop and r&b, blended with bolero, calypso, bossa nova and the rhythmic heritage of Cuba. It was a smash in Havana and beyond in the sixties, and it's a definate treat to listen to today. Particularly marvelous is the soaring, supremely-controlled falsetto of Ignacio Elejalde. Beginning with their first hit single, "La Caminadora," the group got into the archetypical rock star on tour craziness, fights, drinking, destroying hotel rooms, meeting the Beatles (who wanted them to stay), touring Moscow, Poland, Germany and Europe’ that led to the early deaths of all but one of the singers. What they left behind, judging by these 17 hits, is a legacy of great vocal harmony. The rhythmic gem "Bossa Cubana," the lovely "Cancion de Orfeo," the dance hit "Y Sabes Bien," "La Caminadora," the party tune "Puchunguita, Ven," Ignacio's falsetto on "Mi Oracion," the swinging "Un Nombre de Mujer" and finishing with the slow dance tune "Canta lo Sentimental." All songs are accompanied, but the voices are the focus here, and they are exceptional. "Bossa Cubana" is big, fat, salsa-flavored fun from 1960s Cuba!

Music From the Edge of Time

Opening Cuando Yo Lo Conoci Cuba and America- 1950's and '60s Interviews Two Roads to Home Survivors and Casualties Caya Hueso Street Interviews Reflections of Families and Friends Naming Los Zafiros Return to Egrem Studios Los Zafiros in Europe Miguel Reunites With Chino's Brother Los Nuevos Zafiros Coming Apart Egrem Studios "Mis Sentimientos" Galban and Cancio to Cementerio Cristobal Colon "They Will Never Be Forgotten" Los Zafiros

In this documentary, Manuel Galbán and Miguel Cancio -- the two surviving members of the singing group Los Zafiros -- reunite in Havana to recount their glory days with one of Cuba's most internationally acclaimed bands. Formed in post-revolutionary Cuba in the 1960s, Los Zafiros (The Sapphires) blended rhythms of doo-wop, salsa and son with Afro-Cuban beats to create a sound that was as infectious as it was influential.

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