Havana, September 1 (RHC)-- Cuba’s record and musical editions company EGREM published a note on its Facebook page, extending condolences to the family and friends of maestro Adalberto Álvarez, and to the entire Cuban people.

‘Son music was his flag, his struggle and his success,’ wrote EGREM, noting that Adalberto devoted his life and energy to the promotion and development of Son Cubano. ‘For that, Adalberto lives and will live forever.’

Previously, the Cuban Music Institute had informed that Adalberto died from multiple organ failure, as a consequence of pneumonia caused by Covid-19.

Cuban culture minister Alpidio Alonso, also lamented the death of Adalberto --an indispensable figure of Cuban music and culture. He stressed that his vast work will forever live in the heart of our people.

Casa de las Américas, the José Martí National Library, Teatro Nacional de Cuba, the University of the Arts and the National Council on Performing Arts all expressed condolences, describing as ‘irreparable loss’ the death of the author of iconic tunes like 'A bailar el toca toca’, ‘Y qué tú quieres que te den’, ‘Locos por el son’ and ‘El Chévere y El Caballero’.

Pieces composed by Adalberto Álvarez were included in the repertoire of several other renowned Cuban and foreign musicians, notably Celina González, Omara Portuondo, Issac Delgado, Frank Fernández, Silvio Rodríguez, Gina León, Los Van Van, Charanga Casino, Juan Luis Guerra and his band La 440, Willy Rosario, Trabuco Mexicano, Roberto Roena, Justo Betancourt, Ismael Quintana, Oscar De León, Louis Ramírez, Andy Montañez, among many others.

Cuba’s iconic band Los Van Van lamented the death of Adalberto, saying Cuban music is in mourning. ‘It is very sad to wake up to this news, when we though that the Knight of Son was winning this battle. We have lost one of the greats of Cuban music. Rest in peace, maestro, Cuba and the world mourn your death,’ Los Van Van wrote on social networks.

The iconic band, founded by bassist Juan Formell, thanked Adalberto Álvarez, his vast legacy that includes more than 30 albums and countless hit songs over nearly 50 years of artistic life, among them ‘Mi linda habanera’, ‘Para bailar casino’, ‘El son de Adalberto suena cubano’, ‘Jugando con candela’ and ‘Sonero soy’.

At the time of his death, Adalberto Álvarez y su Son were working on a new album entitled ‘Segunda Vuelta’. In statements to the press earlier this year, the renowned musician said that the album was still in the recording stage, and that a pause was necessary so as not to compromise the health of his musicians in the current scenario, marked by Covid-19.