Aida Diestro
Encyclopedia
Aida Diestro was a Cuban
pianist, and the director of a famous choral group. She studied music with her father, the Presbyterian minister Diestro Camejo, and continued in a private conservatory. She became the choir director of her father's church, which taught her a great deal about harmony which came in useful later. Aida learnt more from the musician and composer Enrique González Mántici, and his guidance played a decisive role in her future career. Years later she said: "Mantici gave me the confidence to confront the prejudices which female artistes encountered in those days."
Diestro's first professional engagements was as a pianist on the radio, accompanying artists such as César Portillo de la Luz and Tania Castellanos. Her big moment came when, in 1952, she formed the Cuarteto d'Aida
, which became one of the most famous groups of its day. It was a close-harmony group of the filín
style, with four brilliant young women. The four were Elena Burke
, Omara Portuondo
and her sister Haydée, and Moraima Secada
. The group, backed by male musicians, sang regularly on the television show El Show del Mediodía, but only produced one LP record. The original group continued until 1960, and were replaced as they left. After Aida's death the group was led by Teté Caturla
.
Cubans
Cubans or Cuban people are the inhabitants or citizens of Cuba. Cuba is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
pianist, and the director of a famous choral group. She studied music with her father, the Presbyterian minister Diestro Camejo, and continued in a private conservatory. She became the choir director of her father's church, which taught her a great deal about harmony which came in useful later. Aida learnt more from the musician and composer Enrique González Mántici, and his guidance played a decisive role in her future career. Years later she said: "Mantici gave me the confidence to confront the prejudices which female artistes encountered in those days."
Diestro's first professional engagements was as a pianist on the radio, accompanying artists such as César Portillo de la Luz and Tania Castellanos. Her big moment came when, in 1952, she formed the Cuarteto d'Aida
Cuarteto d'Aida
The Cuarteto d'Aida was a famous Cuban female singing group. It was founded and directed by the pianist Aida Diestro in 1952. Diestro picked four brilliant young singers to form the group: Elena Burke, Moraima Secada and the sisters Omara and Haydée Portuondo...
, which became one of the most famous groups of its day. It was a close-harmony group of the filín
Filín
Filin was a Cuban, but US–influenced, popular song fashion of the late 40s to the early 60s. The word is derived from feeling, and is sometimes spelled feelín or even el feeling. It describes a style of post-microphone jazz-influenced romantic song .The Cuban roots of filín were in the bolero...
style, with four brilliant young women. The four were Elena Burke
Elena Burke
Elena Burke was a revered and popular Cuban singer of boleros and romantic ballads....
, Omara Portuondo
Omara Portuondo
Omara Portuondo Peláez is a Cuban singer and dancer whose career has spanned over half a century. She was one of the original members of the Cuarteto d'Aida, and has performed with Ignacio Piñeiro, Orquesta Anacaona, Orquesta Aragón, Nat King Cole, Adalberto Álvarez, Los Van Van, the Buena Vista...
and her sister Haydée, and Moraima Secada
Moraima Secada
Moraima Secada Moraima Secada Moraima Secada (born María Micaela Secada Ramos (Santa Clara, Cuba, 30 September 1930 – Havana, 30 December 1984), known to her admirers as La Mora (the moor), was a temperamental singer who created a special style of interpretation within the Cuban music genre...
. The group, backed by male musicians, sang regularly on the television show El Show del Mediodía, but only produced one LP record. The original group continued until 1960, and were replaced as they left. After Aida's death the group was led by Teté Caturla
Teté Caturla
Teté Caturla, born Teresa García Caturla is a Cuban singer of high quality who sung in, and directed, the famous Cuarteto d'Aida. She is the daughter of Alejandro García Caturla, one of the most important Cuban composers of the 1920s and 30s.As a young woman Teté made her debut for Orquesta...
.