Santiago, Cuba

May 8, 1894

One of the most important Cuban composers of all time, Miguel Matamoros wrote dozens of popular standards such as "Lagrimas Negras," "Son de la Loma," "Mujer de Antonio," and "El Que Siembra Su Maiz." Most of his compositions originally appeared on recordings by the Trío Matamoros -- which included Rafael Cueto and Ciro Rodríguez -- during the 1930s. Thanks to covers by Celia Cruz, Beny More, Maria Dolores Pradera, and Daniel Santos, Matamoros' compositions entered the popular Latin consciousness for decades to come. ~ John Bush