Cuba’s Celebrated Composer Compay Segundo

Affectionately known by his first name only, “Compay”, meaning compadre, because he readily embraced a secondary vocal role during performances and recording sessions, the legendary artist, Compay Segundo was a trova guitarist, singer, composer, and celebrated musical ambassador.

Born Francisco Repilado Muñoz in 1907 in Siboney, Cuba, Compay Segundo moved to Santiago de Cuba at the age of nine. There, even at such an early age, he had his first performance with the city’s Municipal Band directed by his music teacher. After a lengthy stint with a quintet, he moved to Havana in 1934, where he attached to the Capitol City’s municipal band as a clarinetist.