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Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)

07 Aug 05 - 05:07 PM (#1537062)
Subject: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer
From: Susanne (skw)

I've just read that Ibrahim Ferrer, of 'Buena Vista Social Club' fame, has died aged 78, right after a successful European tour. I can't claim Cuban music as one of my interests, but a few years back I happened to see Ry Cooder's film and was very impressed with the musicians he portrayed, particularly Ruben Gonzalez, Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer. These old men were so entertaining and inspiring, not just through their music but in their whole outlook on (a materially pretty deprived) life, it was a marvel. Good for them they were able to enjoy a few years of fame that matched their musical abilities! RIP, Ibrahim.

07 Aug 05 - 07:15 PM (#1537138)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer
From: Deskjet

Great singer.

07 Aug 05 - 07:21 PM (#1537142)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer
From: Azizi

I had the pleasure of seeing the Buena Vista Social Club on television. I also was priviledged to see another videotape by an independent producer that featured Ibrahim Ferrer and other Cuban musicans, sngers, and dancers.

My condolences to Mr Ferrer's family. It's too bad that politics on both sides blocked the expression and wide dissemination of his great talent.

07 Aug 05 - 08:08 PM (#1537171)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer
From: open mike

Oh, too bad. I just heard his voice (recorded) on the radio last night
as the American Roots show had a special on Ry Cooder. They played one
of Ibrahim's well-known songs from Buena Vista Social Club.

http://www.americanroutes.org/--archived sound bytes of Buena Vista

biographies here: www.pbs.org/buenavista/musicians/

obit here:http://news.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=1743592005

http://www.suntimes.com/output/music/cst-nws-xferr07.html

07 Aug 05 - 09:19 PM (#1537202)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: Joe Offer

Of the performers on the Buena Vista Social Club film, Ferrer was the one who caught my attention. He had a twinkle in his eye, and seemed like the kind of person I'd like ot have for a friend. Here's an obituary report:
    Ibrahim Ferrer dies at 78

    David Teather in New York
    Monday August 8, 2005
    The Guardian

    Ibrahim Ferrer, who achieved fame late in life as the singer of the Buena Vista Social Club, died on Saturday in Havana at the age of 78.

    Ferrer, known for his trademark cap and greying moustache, was a devotee of traditional styles of Cuban music such as "son" and bolero. He appeared destined to become a musician, having been born at a social club dance in 1927 after his mother went into labour unexpectedly.

    He started singing at the age of 14, and by the late 1950s was a well-known performer. But by the 1990s he was scraping by on a meagre state pension, supplementing his income by shining shoes.

    Then everything changed. In 1997, Ferrer was one of a group of musicians brought together by the Texas guitarist Ry Cooder to record the Buena Vista Social Club album.

    The project was a huge success, earning the band a Grammy and worldwide acclaim. A documentary of the same name, directed by Wim Wenders, won an Oscar nomination.

    Ferrer released two solo albums and won several more awards, including a Latin Grammy in 2000 for best new artist - at the age of 72.

    Buena Vista guitarist, Manuel Galban, said of the famously mild-mannered Ferrer: "I felt like he was my brother. He was a great musician and a great companion."

    Ferrer's manager, Daniel Florestan, said the singer had died of multiple organ failure after returning from a month-long European tour on Wednesday.

    Despite his fading health, Ferrer, who had suffered from emphysema, had continued to perform.

    His wife, Caridad Diaz, said she was "deeply affected" by his death. She told the Associated Press: "He was a very worthy person; to be admired, not only as a musician, but also as a father and a husband".

07 Aug 05 - 10:08 PM (#1537221)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: katlaughing

I, too, really enjoyed the Buena Vista Social Club and really respected them, but esp. Ferrer. You're right, Joe, he had a *twinkle* that just shone!

kat

07 Aug 05 - 11:23 PM (#1537259)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: Amos

HE was the real star of that movie, no mistake, and I only regret I dod not get to see him perform before he died. Ry Cooder sure did the world a favor.

A

07 Aug 05 - 11:27 PM (#1537264)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: number 6

Amos ... Ry Cooder certainly did the world a favour with that movie.

It's very Sad news indeed.

sIx

08 Aug 05 - 12:44 AM (#1537288)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: GUEST,Shanghaiceltic

The Buena Vista Social Club album is one of my non trad favourites. Sad to say I have never had a chance to see the film. He was a magic singer.

It brought a smile to my face when he and the band were awarded their Grammy under the Best New Act section. All of them were over 60 I believe.

08 Aug 05 - 01:02 AM (#1537293)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: open mike

HAS ANY ONE CHECKED OUT THE LINK I POSTED TO AMERICAN ROUTES SHOW/
THERE IS A CUTE RADIO STATION I.D. FROM IBRAHIM THERE AND SEVERAL
OF HIS SONGS.

08 Aug 05 - 05:09 PM (#1537928)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: Susanne (skw)

Shangahiceltic, try and see the film some time! It's unique. By Wim Wenders, incidentally, though Ry Cooder was indeed responsible for the music and for finding these guys in the first place.

09 Aug 05 - 04:15 AM (#1538213)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: mooman

A sad loss indeed.

May he rest in peace.

moo

09 Aug 05 - 06:25 AM (#1538283)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: Flash Company

Found Ibrahim and his fellows the most amazing artists, Didn't understand a word of their lyrics, but what the hell, I don't understand some of Bob Dylan's lyrics either, and he's singing in english.
A beautiful voice and a sad loss.

FC

09 Aug 05 - 02:22 PM (#1538656)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: PoppaGator

What a great singer he was! I believe that, somewhere in the movie, Ibrahim is referred to as "the Cuban Nat King Cole," a pretty apt comparison.

09 Aug 05 - 02:44 PM (#1538674)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: GUEST,Steve Parkes

What a shame. There's one twinkle fewer in the world.

Steve

09 Aug 05 - 02:57 PM (#1538687)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop

Ibrahim Ferrer was a great musician, a great singer, and a great personality. I loved him in Buena Vista Social Club, and bought both of the solo discs he released since then. I listen to them frequently, and they always bring a smile.

09 Aug 05 - 03:50 PM (#1538732)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: Leadfingers

It is a shame that the 'Good 'Ole US' saw fit to NOT allow him a visa to collect any awards !!

09 Aug 05 - 06:01 PM (#1538824)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: open mike

http://www.axisoflogic.com/cgi-bin/exec/view.pl?archive=43&num=5219

as did the Spanish guitarist Paco de Lucia...

http://indyweek.com/durham/2004-09-15/cover4.html

Until very recently, Cuban exiles living in countries like Spain or Canada haven't had trouble at our border, but that too appears to be changing. Cuban-born Alain Perez is the bass player with Paco de Lucia, but the Spanish flamenco guitar giant threatened to cancel his U.S. tour earlier this year because Perez, a resident of Spain, almost didn't get a visa. Booking agents were finally able to work around the delays, allowing audiences like the sold out one in Duke's Page Auditorium to be wowed by Paco, Perez and company.

i believe Perez's appearance at a university near here was cancelled.

i should start a new thread rather than putting this in Ibrahaim's
obit thread, but what Terry said is exactly right. sad.

09 Aug 05 - 07:14 PM (#1538878)
Subject: RE: Obit: Ibrahim Ferrer (6 August 2005)
From: shepherdlass

Sad news indeed. Somehow, his lovely singing was still like a new discovery, so much so that it was easy to forget that his age would probably take him away quite soon.