On this one hundredth anniversary of the birth of Benny Moré, considered the greatest Cuban popular artist of all time, not only for his vocal quality, but also for his Cuban characteristics and sympathy, let’s remember some moments of his visits to the province of Matanzas.

The well-known “Barbarian of the Rhythm” left reflected in his extensive discography songs of his authorship dedicated to different cities and towns, among them the bolero of deep interpretative feeling I knew peace, in which Varadero serves as the setting for a beautiful love dialogue.

In his tours of the nation Benny Moré and his Giant Band included performances in the popular festivals of the municipalities of Matanzas in which it was the great attraction, as well as his presentations in Varadero, mainly on some Sunday afternoons of the Oasis motel.

In the biographical book Benny Moré, authored by Amín Nasser, Unión Editions, 1985, it is noted that in 1961 the leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro, met with Benny in order to act in the amphitheater of Varadero, where every Thursday a show was given to young people preparing for the literacy campaign.

According to statements by Teodoro, Benny’s brother, Fidel asked him how much he was going to charge for his performances to which the musician replied, “You are already doing enough for my people, get transportation for my tribe that everything else runs for me,” and there he was every Thursday while that stage of preparation in Varadero lasted.

In 1962 they inaugurate the Park of 8 thousand ticket offices, in the Blue Beach and again the Commander in Chief makes the request to Benny that he was in charge of the festive activity, which he quickly accepted.

Another moment of Moré’s presence in Matanzas is reflected in a chronicle published by Luis Lorente (2004 Casa de las Américas de Poesía Award), with the title A memorable match in Cárdenas, and which had an unexpected ending.

Lorente, poet of birth and trade, who has declared himself to be an eternal baseball lover dresses up as a sports chronicler when narrating what happened one baseball morning in the Flag City adorned with the figure of Benny Moré, as you can see in the following fragment.

“On Saturday, at the Oasis motel, Benny Moré’s Giant Band was performing in a unique function. But who was going to Varadero and stay until dawn dancing and drinking, if the challenge was agreed for the next day at nine. Before nightfall everyone had already decided to stay at home.

“The morning was like to play ball. Clear blue sky and coldness. The forecasts were fulfilled, the Chacho Park burned. A whole caravan of churros stalls bread with sucker, scratch-off and congas paths on the sides. The local amplification tried to impose itself in the middle of a wave of screams and whistles. The announcer, nervous, could hardly pronounce the names of some unusual contestants.

“More than giving in, the excitement became murmur when it was discovered, with feline gestures climbing the stands, the Barbarian of the Rhythm, who accompanied by Generoso and“ Chocolate ”Armenteros, had arrived there, curious, attracted by the cause that The previous day will leave the starry courtyard of the Oasis semi-complete. Benny made the comment, wanted to see “Pelandrujo”, the second baseman who claimed to take them all and had promised to hit four-four.

“With the gesture of who is going to utter an expletive, Benny rose suddenly, both hands honking and shouted loudly:” Hey “Pelao”, I’m here. ”

“That immortal of Cuban music was also that simple.”