His body was laid in state at Havana"s Mella Theater, the usual venue for the Conjunto Folclórico Nacional (National Folkloric Group) he founded in 1962. The King of Yoruba Singers, Ros used the Afro-Cuban religion as a living source all his life and embellished it with modern elements without betraying its essence.

One of the most authentic voices of African heritage in Cuba, the self-taught Ross toured the main stages of Europe, Africa, Latin America and the United States with the Folkloric Group during the 1970"s.

His work earned him the title of akpwon (professor) he proudly bore, and his appetite for the new led him to add rock sounds into his Yoruba-rooted ritual songs, an experiment he gladly performed alongside the bands Sintesis and Mezcla.

In 1992, Ros founded the group Olorun, where songs, dances and drumming fused with an austere simplicity to communicate new intensity, in which his voice shined brilliantly.

He was awarded several important distinctions such as the Fernando Ortiz Order for his contribution to the preservation of Cuban culture; the Felix Varela Order of First Degree, granted by the Cuban Council of State, and the Espejo de Paciencia and National Music Awards.

Besides the legacy he left in the hands of succeeding generations, he recorded a series of CDs, a collection titled Orisha Ayé, classified by critics as "the most encompassing recording of Yoruban heritage."

They earned him four awards at the Cuban Record Fair and two nominations for Latin Grammy.

This legendary artist fought to preserve tradition by breathing the air of the times he lived. "I always try to listen to the current situation," he used to say.

By: Prensa-Latina