With more than 50 years of existence and considered as one of the most important orchestras in the Cuban musical history, the Sensación Orchestra has the charanga format and, even though its is currently integrated by new musicians graduated from of schools of art in Cuba who belong to a new generation of talents, it has not lost the sonority, the repertoire and the authenticity of its founders.

The beginning of the Sensación Orchestra goes back to August 23, 1953, when three musicians, Miguel Santacruz, Juan Esquijarroza and Eloy Martínez approached Rolando Valdés to present him with the idea of organizing a charanga orchestra. Although at the beginning Rolando Valdés did not agree with this idea since he considered that "Arcaño y sus Maravillas", Arsenio Rodríguez and the "Melodías del 40" orchestras were in fashion at that time in the popular dancing music, three months later, when he realized these orchestras were giving way to the "cha cha chá" genre created by Enrique Jorrín and popularized by the America Orchestra, he finally decided to establish and direct the Sensación Orchestra based on a new concept: the musicians would play standing and the singers would perform as soloists, unlike the Aragón orchestra which used three voices at the same time. With this project, this Orchestra made its debut integrated by ten musicians eager to succeed.

Its first recordings were made with Celio González, but the orchestra achieved its first resounding hit with Cheo Junco, Rolando and Alfonsín Quintana, and with the piece "Sevent Boy". The second hit was "Arráncame la vida", with Luis Donald, Gerardo Pedroso and Rolando Valdés.

In 1955, the popularity of this group was enhanced by the incorporation of the famous Abelardo Barroso (1905-1972) and the performance of "En Guantánamo". Then came a long series of recordings: "El guajiro de Cunagua", "El brujo de Guanabacoa", "El panquelero", "El huerfanito", "La hija de Juan Simón", "Ta tá cansá", "Bruca Manigua", "La milonga" and many others.

In 1958, the Sensación Orchestra daringly introduced something completely unusual in a charanga orchestra, the incorporation of three elements in its brass section : Generoso Jiménez (trombone), Enemelio Jiménez (saxo) and El negro Vivar (trumpet). However, 1957 constitutes the most important date for this Orchestra, when they were considered the most broadcast orchestra on radio programs. They also performed in four daily dancing activities, made presentations on regular television programs and carried out international tours which included the United States, Venezuela, Canada and African scenarios, aside from obtaining innumerable awards, recording and receiving several golden records.

The Sensación Orchestra, currently directed by Víctor Rodríguez Herrera Fernández, a young talent who preserves its original identity closely following Rolando Valdés' suggestions, is always acclaimed in each of its presentations.

Its sonority, still the same, is nevertheless renewed with contemporary concepts, always having its origins in mind. Likewise, to follow its tradition, the Sensación orchestra has Israel Núñez Barroso as a singer who interprets the songs the same way the beloved Abelardo Barroso did..

Its presentations in renowned night centers in Havana, as well as in national and international events and festivals endorse the current work of the Sensación orchestra as an appealing proposal that has lasted for more than 50 years with its same original authenticity, once more proving that good music never gets old.