[1][2] Contreras started singing in a variety of musical groups in Habana, among them the Arty Valdés trio, and from 1957 to 1958 he joined the Neno González Orchestra.
During this time he worked in the Alí Bar alongside Beny Moré, Fernando Álvarez and Orlando Vallejo.
He also worked with the Musicuba band and in September 1965, he moved to the United States.
Between 1966 and 1970, Contreras sang in a Portuguese tourist ship while also recording additional songs.
[2] Among his successes that landed him fame in Cuba and Latin America were: En un beso la vida, Sin egoísmo, Difícil, Amarga decepción, Por borracha, Por un puñado de oro, Dónde tu iras, Mi corazonada, Muerto en vida, Dolor de hombre, Que murmuren, Un amigo mío, Amigo de que, Yo estoy desengañado, Arráncame la vida, Egoísmo, Esta tu canción, Se muy bien que vendrás, and Corazón de Madera.