The prominent Cuban musician Lázaro Valdés Espinosa died on Sunday at the age of 83, according to the Cuban Institute of Music (ICM, in Spanish).

Musician, researcher and director of the Son Jazz orchestra, Lázaro Valdés studied at the Marianao Conservatoire and was last pianist of Benny Moré’s Banda Gigante, a band he led for several years after Benny Moré´s death.

Recognized for his Son and Jazz songs, his legacy is a reference for Cuban pianists, the ICM posted on Facebook.

For his long work as prominent musician, Lázaro Valdés was awarded several times including with the Raúl Gómez García Medal (from the Union of Cultural Workers), and the National Culture Award by the Culture Ministry.