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Singer.
Born on December 4, 1909, in Matanzas province and died in Havana, on May 6, 1995. He lived in Manatee and Las Tunas towns up to 1931, when he moved to Havana and joined, as a singer, the "Matamoros" and "Los Gracianos" septets, as well as the "Quinteto Selecto" , the three of them directed by Isaac Oviedo and Graciano Gómez. Simultaneously, he also performed with Manolo Puertas, Frank Emilio and Antonio María Cruz orchestras.
In 1937, Master Antonio María Romeu, pianist and composer, asked Graciano and Isaac to allow Barbarito Diez to join his orchestra. Both of them agreed, sure as they were, that the talented singer would have a promising future. Since then, his popularity increased through radio programs and the recordings made with Master Romeu´s musical arrangements.
His popularity was confirmed during his trips abroad together with Graciano Gómez and Isaac Oviedo: in 1933 to Puerto Rico; in 1957 to the Dominican Republic and in 1959 to New York, this time with the Orchestra "Fajardo". At that time, the Cuban people started calling him "The voice of the Danzón". During his long and rich professional career, first with Master Romeu´s Orchestra, and afterwards as a soloist, he became a true idol in many Latin American countries due to his wonderful and serene voice. In Latin America people still listen to his records including his unique versions of anthological themes such as "La sitiera" composed by Rafael López, "La Rosa Roja" by Oscar Hernández, "Lágrimas Negras" by Miguel Matamoros, or "Junto al palmar del bajío" and "Blancas Azucenas" both by Pedro Flores.
His contribution to the Cuban musical culture constitutes an invaluable treasure, since his legitimate and genuine Cuban voice embraces the history of an exquisite tradition.
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