Elio Revé Matos was born in Guantánamo, the home of changüí, in 1930. From a very early age he played quinto and bombo drum at the carnivals in Santiago and Guantanamo. He soon became a great rumba musician, a qualified dancer of the French tumba and a true master and revolutionary of changüi. In 1955 he left for Habana and began working with several bands until in 1956 he formed Orquesta Revé. He was the first to use the five-key timbal, one of the first to incorporate the trombone sound into an orchestra, he experimented by bringing in the batá drums into popular music and he created a unique sound when he played the timbales. It was Elio Revé which made changüí famous upon his arrival in Havana. Changüi is a variation of the son, with its own country-style feeling to it.

These musical achievements earnd his band the title of "Orquesta Padre" or "Father of all Orchestras" and through his accomplishments directing and heading Orquesta Revé, Elio became known as "El Padre de la Salsa" or The Father of Salsa.

Tremendous influence on Cuban salsa

Since their beginning in 1956 as well as being one of the most important Cuban bands, Orquesta Revé has qualified as Cuba's most important musical school place where many of the country's top musicians from bands such as Los Van Van, Los Dan Den and Los 440, Yumuri, Chucho Valdez began their artistic careers. Now led by Elio Revé Jr, and with an extensive international touring schedule, the legendary band have recorded their long awaited and exclusive album for Tumi Music which presents the rhythm of Chagüí in a new and exciting form.

In 1997, the legendary and innovative musical director Elio Revé was killed in a freak road accident. His musical legacy fortunately lives on through his son, Elio Revé Jr. who has, since his very first steps as a professional pianist, been a key element in his father's band Orquesta Revémore commonly known as El Charangón.

Elio Revé Jr. (Elito)

Elio Revé Jr. took over as director of the orchestra upon the death of his father. He is a graduate of the music schools but also owes much of his musical education to his father. He began at the age of 20 as pianist for the charangón and also worked as arranger for many of the band's hit songs.

Under the direction of Elio Revé Jr., the band has grown increasingly popular in the new millenium, and Elio Revé Jr. has led the band on succesful tours of Europe, the United States and Mexico and has appeared at the prestigious Santa Lucia Jazz Festival.

Elio Revé Jr. is also a founder of the Changüí Festival which is held annually in December in Guantánamo. He has recorded three CDs and one DVD, which I highly recommend, with the charangón and is soon to release another CD with 5 live songs and 5 new songs and an accompanying DVD.

Tumi Music signed Elio Revé y su Charangón in 1999.Elio Revé Jr. has maintained the tradition handed down to him from his father and continues to renew the repertoire of the charagón with songs that reach the people and the dancers. The charangón will celebrate 50 years in 2006.

Sources: Cuban Music,  www.timba.com and
http://www.worldmusiccentral.org