Orlando ‘Cachaíto’ López, bassist with the Buena Vista Social Club, died on February 9 in a Havana hospital aged 76.

López was born in Havana in 1933 to a family of bass players including his legendary uncle Israel ‘Cachao’ López, from whom he gained his nickname Cachaíto, meaning ‘little Cachao’. He was originally a violinist before taking up the family instrument and joining bands of Cuba’s golden era of music, including the 50s cabaret orchestra Bambú and big band Riverside and 60s vocal group Los Zafiros with top guitarist Manuel Galbán. Lopez then went on to play with such legendary Cuban outfits as Orquesta Cubana de Musica Moderna and Irakere.

López was ‘discovered’ by American guitarist Ry Cooder in the 90s when he travelled to Cuba to record music with the great of Cuba’s musical past. He was then playing with Juan de Marcos González’s Afro Cuban All Stars. The ensuing Cooder project, named the Buena Vista Social Club, spawned a World Circuit release that became one of the most successful world music albums ever and concerts at Carnegie Hall in New York and in Amsterdam that brought these Cuban stars to the world stage.

Bathing in this latter day fame, many of the Buena Vista musicians went on to record solo albums, including López whose 2001 debut solo release Cachaíto featured Hugh Masekela, Pee Wee Ellis, Angá Diaz and Galbán and won him an award at the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in 2002. 

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Tags: buena vista social club, cachaito