Rolando Morejón Reyes: The Violin Is an Instrument That Demands Great Sensitivity to Master, and Captivates Audiences with the Emotion It Conveys in Performances
- Rolando Morejón Reyes: The Violin Is an Instrument That Demands Great Sensitivity to Master, and Captivates Audiences with the Emotion It Conveys in Performances
- They Also Promise That Everyone Who Joins Them That Night Will Have a Space for Joy
- This Is the True Story of a Brilliant Violinist
- Then He Moved to Mexico for 27 Years—That Beautiful, Beloved Mexico
This time, it’s the great Cuban maestro, Rolando Morejón Reyes, a talented violinist who will be performing alongside Buena Vista Orquesta, the Cuban ensemble set to deliver a concert at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach this Friday, October 17, promising an unforgettable evening.
“We’re so excited because we know that here in West Palm Beach, there are many Hispanics, and during Hispanic Heritage Month, surely many people will want to come out to dance and enjoy our music and the joy of being Cuban—that’s a plus we have, and we do it with so much feeling. That’s what’s most important.
Thank God, we’ve had a great reception in almost every city and state where we’ve performed on this 2025 tour. This will be our 41st concert, and I think West Palm Beach is the second-to-last.
We’ll also perform the entire repertoire that Buena Vista is known for, like *El Cuarto de Tula*, *Candela*, and *Mentiroso*—the songs that took Grammy winners and other artists around the world. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy some covers with our Cuban rhythm. It’s really something you won’t want to miss.”
They Also Promise That Everyone Who Joins Them That Night Will Have a Space for Joy
“And that’s how it is—life without music is no life at all. It’s an art that touches the soul.
The flavor we Hispanics have should be preserved and passed down to new generations for centuries to come. In other words, let this be a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.”
This Is the True Story of a Brilliant Violinist
“I started playing the violin very young, when I was just 6 years old. Of course, I studied at the Havana Conservatory with Cuban and Russian teachers—there were quite a few of them back then, in the 1980s.
After I graduated from the conservatory and the creator of the cha-cha-chá, maestro Enrique Jorrín, passed away, I began playing as a violinist full-time.
I remember that back then, the orchestra’s director—a famous and great Cuban musician, maestro Rubén González, who later became part of Buena Vista—retired after two years. They proposed that I become the director. Imagine that—I was only 18 years old.
So, I immersed myself in all of Cuban popular music, especially the cha-cha-chá, which, by the way, has been the last rhythm to take over the world. There are other Cuban rhythms today, but they’re not as famous—like son, guaracha, Cuban boleros, danzón. I was fortunate enough to work with all those maestros who were between 45 and 60 years old. I was embraced by this institution, and I’m still very lucky.”
Then He Moved to Mexico for 27 Years—That Beautiful, Beloved Mexico
“Yes, and Cuban artists like Benny Moré and Pérez Prado were famous there. I had the chance to make music with great Mexican artists like Emmanuel, Mijares, and Yuri, among many others, as their lead violinist. But before that, I was able to perform on stage with artists in Cuba, like Omara Portuondo and Elena Burke, *La Señora Sentimiento*, who shaped the artist I am today.
Their way of interpreting songs, connecting with the audience, and conveying emotion—touching the hearts of those who listened—was unique. That’s why when I play the violin, I sing every note, always trying to reach the hearts of those who listen,” concludes maestro Rolando Morejón Reyes.
Buena Vista Orquesta will perform at the Kravis Center in West Palm Beach, on the main stage of Dreyfoos Hall, this coming Friday, October 17, to share with the entire community in a celebration filled with emotion for this special occasion—one of the most anticipated events. It will be unforgettable!
By Rossana Azuero
RossanaAzu@aol.com
