The Septeto Espirituano: Nearly a Century of Musical Cubanism

In a bit of history it is said that the first septet founded in Sancti Spiritus was the Septeto Machado, which let its music be heard in 1924.

The Septeto Machado, emerged from the Coro de Clave “La Yaya”, to support the presidential campaign of Gerardo Machado. Its existence was ephemeral and it did not achieve the recognition of its aesthetic location.

Shortly after, and founded by guitarist Valeriano García, the group that, with the name of its director, and later with the natural changes of members and repertoire, would be recognized until today as Septeto Espirituano, would emerge.

So, 98 years ago the Septeto de Valeriano García, later Septeto Espirituano, was created on June 10, 1926, in a private party at the residence of Dr. Mario García Madrigal, being this the reference of constitution and public approval of the referred group.

After almost a century of existence, the Septeto Espirituano is the founder of the Miguel Companioni trova house. In the international arena he participated in the first meeting of son and flamenco music in Spain, in the international festival of the Caribbean in the islands of Martinique and Guadeloupe. For a year he worked at the Bodeguita del Medio in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Today it is integrated by the fourth generation of musicians, and maintains as a permanent seal the same rhythms of its beginnings, without forgetting, anthological pieces of traditional Cuban music, thus forming a wide repertoire.

Currently, the Septeto Espirituano is formed by first class musicians, which allows it to be included in the catalog of excellence of the Empresa de la Música “Rafael Gómez Mayea” (Rafael Gómez Mayea Music Company).

With musicians that maintain the stability of their group, young and at the same time experienced instrumentalists, the Septeto Espirituano is in an excellent moment of their career.