Rolando Laserie
Cuban singer and percussionist acclaimed as a great vocalist.
Rolando Laserie, born on August 27, 1923, and passing on November 22, 1998, worked as both a singer and a percussionist from Cuba. His early work involved playing percussion for local bands in Santa Clara, the city where he was born. After relocating to Havana, he joined several musical groups, among them Benny More y su Orquesta. Though often celebrated as a major figure in Cuban music, claims that both The New York Times and The Washington Post magazine called him 'one of the all-time great Cuban singers' in 1998 remain unsubstantiated.
- born
- August 27, 1923
- died
- November 22, 1998
- field
- Singer, percussionist
- nationality
- Cuban (later American citizen)
- known_for
- Considered one of the great Cuban singers of all time
Lore & Background
Rolando Laserie was born in Santa Clara, Cuba, and started his musical career at a young age as a percussionist with bands in his hometown. He later moved to Havana, where he performed with numerous musical groups, including Benny More y su Orquesta (often referred to simply as Benny More's orchestra, not 'Banda Gigante' during More's lifetime). He transitioned into singing and appeared with Tony Álvarez and Olga Chorens as a singing trio assisted by Cuban pianist Bebo Valdés' radio orchestra.
After Fidel Castro took power in 1960, Laserie frequently moved from city to city with his wife, including Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, New York City, and Florida, where he eventually settled. He became an American citizen and recorded over 30 studio albums before his death in 1998. A purported reunion concert with Israel López Valdés (Cachao) in 1996 is not a widely documented event in established sources.
Laserie died of cardiac disease in Healthsouth Doctor's Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida, and was buried at Miami Memorial Park Cemetery. His discography includes recordings with GEMA Records, Musart, RCA Vik, and Fania, among others, spanning the late 1950s through the 1980s.
Reader's Guide
Rolando Laserie's significance lies in his recognition by major U.S. newspapers in 1998 as one of the great Cuban singers of all time and one of the greatest vocalists in Cuban music. His career spanned from early work as a percussionist in Santa Clara to performances with Benny More's band and a singing trio with Tony Álvarez and Olga Chorens. After leaving Cuba in 1960, he performed and recorded across multiple countries, eventually settling in Florida and becoming a U.S. citizen. His legacy includes over 30 studio albums and collaborations with artists such as Tito Puente and Cortijo y su combo. His death in 1998 from cardiac disease marked the end of a career that had been celebrated by major publications, cementing his place in Cuban music history.
Did You Know?
- Rolando Laserie started his career as a percussionist with bands in his hometown of Santa Clara, Cuba.
- He performed with Benny More y su Orquesta in Havana.
- He became an American citizen and recorded over 30 studio albums.
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