Orlando Cachaito Lopez, RIP

Cachaito

The New York Times reports:

Orlando Cachaito López, the bassist considered the heartbeat of the Cuban group Buena Vista Social Club, died here Monday. He was 76.... snip

Mr. López was a founding member of the band, a group of older Cuban musicians brought together in the 1990s by the American guitarist and producer Ry Cooder. The group included Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González and Omara Portuondo.

Later, the filmmaker Wim Wenders showcased their talents, which had been all but forgotten, in the documentary “Buena Vista Social Club.” The band, which plays a mix of traditional Cuban rhythms, saw its renown grew as it toured internationally.

But it has lost many of its members. Mr. González, a pianist; and the vocalists Mr. Segundo (born Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz), Mr. Ferrer and Pio Leyva have all died in recent years.

He will be missed.