Esther Borja sings Sindo Garay's "La Tarde"

Sindo Garay was born in Santiago de Cuba, (April 12, 1867) the birthplace of the Cuban Son: Trio Matamoros, Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer ... as well as Bacardi Rum. He was of Spanish and Arawkan descend.

Garay was musically illiterate (in fact, he taught himself the alphabet at 16) but his scores were transcribed by others and there are recordings as well. He was the most outstanding composer of trova songs, and his best have been sung and recorded many times. Perla marina, Adios a La Habana, Mujer bayamesa, El huracan y la palma, Guarina and many others are now part of Cuba's heritage.

He died in Havana (July 17, 1968) after having celebrated his 100th birthday several times, according to his friends, "whenever he was short of money".

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