Ñico Saquito

Renowned among Cuba’s premier guitarists, Ñico Saquito established the guaracha form, celebrated for its compact four-line stanzas and comic verses. Born in Santiago de Cuba in 1901, he began attracting notice for his songwriting while still fifteen. Abandoning an early path in professional baseball, he entered the Castillo Quartet, remaining with the ensemble for a decade and performing across the island. Later he returned to Santiago, assembled the Guaracheos de Oriente, and led the ensemble on a Venezuelan tour in 1950. He remained abroad ten years before the Revolution prompted his repatriation. In subsequent decades Saquito performed chiefly in Havana, where the national recording company captured him in 1982 alongside El Quarteto Patria and El Duo Cubano, two leading Cuban ensembles. Issued by World Circuit under the title Good-bye Mr. Cat, the session became his sole American release. Nico Saquito passed away later that same year.