As Marta Valdés would say, Sindo Garay was astonishment itself

Today’s date calls for an emotional tribute to the memory of who stands as the highest exponent among cultivators of Cuban trovador song; none other than the unforgettable Sindo Garay, who passed away on this day in 1968 in the capital of all Cubans, aged 101.

Before highlighting the significance of his legacy within our song heritage, we recall composer Marta Valdés’ words about the memorable trovador: «Sindo Garay is astonishment itself.» No assessment could be more precise—or comprehensive—to define the mystery surrounding this Santiago-born musician.

Even today, we ask with utmost respect and deepest admiration: How could he develop the universe of a vast, original, and uniquely complex body of work as a self-taught musician possessing only elementary musical knowledge?

Someone of Ernesto Lecuona’s professional stature, upon hearing his songs, could not contain himself and asked: «How can you write these things, Sindo, without having studied music?» Meanwhile, Eduardo Sánchez de Fuentes, another of our great masters, named Sindo El brujo (The Sorcerer)—a starting point to explain the magic in songs of extraordinary lyricism like Perla Marina, Mujer Bayamesa, or Retorna, among so many others.

We are clearly in the presence of an innate genius who composed and played intuitively; yet those who knew him affirm he avoided all vulgar or facile tendencies that talented musicians of any era confront.

For instance, Perla Marina stands as testimony to the highest artistic rank, its text’s beauty etched into a supremely elegant melody. Overflowing with infinite love for the land that bore him, Sindo gives us Mujer Bayamesa—a beautiful allegory to Cuban women who would do whatever necessary should the homeland face danger.

He goes further still with El Huracán y la Palma, a prophetic piece comparing his beloved Cuba to a palm unyielding before hurricane winds.

Sensing his life’s end nearing, he composed Testamento Lírico—a song leaving us his greatest possession: his music, hoping to be remembered.

So it has been, and so it shall be forever, Sindo.

El Huracán y la Palma
The pines whistled, a sinister plea
The tranquil cedars express pain,
The leafy ceiba trembles and smiles,
The grass on the plain,
Submissive to death. But there is a palm
To which only God said
To the Cuban:
«Cultivate its love.»

Standing tall and valiant,
With white bud
That serves as sword
Bent toward the ground,
Kissing the earth,
It withstood the hurricane.