Vi​ñ​ales by Policarpo “Polo Tamayo” Tamayo (Digital Album)

Best known for his work with Ritmo Oriental and then later with the Afro Cuban All Stars, POLO TAMAYO was not only a wonderful musician but also a sweet, kind and generous person.
Born in Pinar del Rio on January 26, 1934, into a musical family, TAMAYO was educated by the town’s only music teacher, clarinetist and saxophonist Félix Benites. He played in various Cuban jazz combos before he moved to Havana where he worked with Orquesta Neno González, Barbarito Díez, Pancho el Bravo, Siglo Veinte and others.
Although TAMAYO later joined Ritmo Oriental, the Afro Cuban All Stars and even the Buena Vista Social Club he is not very known outside of Cuba – so maybe the posthumous album “Viñales” will not only be the testimony of one of the last greeat Cuban flute players but also gain him the well-deserved attentuion he did not get while still alive.