Author, singer and composer. He was born in Guanabacoa, Havana City, on September 11, 1911 and died in Mexico City on October 2, 1971.
Cuban singer Rita Montaner gave him the nickname of Bola de Nieve, ironical description about his black face and round body.

Thanks to his grandmother`s interest, he had been studying since his early ages at Mateu Conservatoire of Havana and this knowledge, enhanced by the influence of an African folklor music atmosphere, imbricated on this charismatic artist a very particular performance mode. His style, melody, gestuality, voice tone and way of playing piano, were special gifts and well-defined features of his deep and permanent Cuban character.

He made his bow at the public scene, performing in a silent movie in his natal village. His artistic life started as Rita Montaner`s accompanying pianist on 1933, Mexico. When Rita came back to Cuba, Bola remained at the Mexican capital playing piano and working with different artists in theatrical spectacles, until he made, by chance, his first solo performance, at Politeama Theater in Mexico with Vito Manué, tu no sabe inglé, from Cuban authors Eliseo Grenet and Nicolás Guillén.

Notable pianist, as singer he showed an original style of interpretation very close to French Chansonier. Author of unforgettable and internationally well-known titles, such as: Si me pudieras querer, Ay amor, and Tú me has de querer, among others; he sang on different languages: Spanish, Catalan, English, French, Italian and Portuguesse, performing, in addition, at the main scenes of the world, alone or together with the most outstanding artists of the epoch.

He died in Mexico City while travelling to Peru and was transferred to Cuba to be buried in his natal city.

Main Source: Cuban Music Dictionary by Helio Orovio