Rosendo Ruiz

Rosendo Ruiz Suárez (1 March 1885 – 1 January 1983) was a Cuban singer, guitarist and composer, considered one of the founders of the trova.

Pepe Sánchez gave him lessons to improve his guitar technique and took him into a group of musicians who were brightening up fiestas for wealthy whites in the environs of Santiago de Cuba.

[4] The first recording of a composition by Ruiz was Maria Teresa Vera's and Rafael Zequeira's 1914 rendition of "Tere y Gela".

The duo would go on to record many of Ruiz's songs, sometimes accompanied by Manuel Corona on guitar: "Rosina y Virginia" (also known as "Dos lindas rosas"), "Confesión", "Naturaleza", "Encanto de Estela", "Patria y honor", "Violeta", "Mi Cuba bella", "Llanto del corazón" and "Cuba aliada".

In 1917 he composed his socialist anthem, "Redención", which premiered on 1 May 1919 (International Workers' Day) at the Teatro Payret in Havana.

Photograph of the 'Four greats of the trova': Rosendo Ruiz, Manuel Corona, Sindo Garay, Alberto Villalón.