Los Brito was a vocal quartet formed in 1967 in Havana, Cuba. They became one of the most popular Cuban groups in the late 1960s and maintained this status until the 1980s, when they retired from the stage. They are considered pioneers of the fusion of traditional Cuban rhythms with foreign musical styles.
Los Brito was born from an idea of Alfredo Brito, musical director of the quartet. Julio Brito, Alfredo's brother, joins the project and they start looking for the other two members, while both compose the repertoire and Alfredo is in charge of the arrangements.
They start rehearsing without the main voice, at the house of another singer, Abelardo Busch, who was going to be the fourth member.
In 1967, thanks to Mariana de Gonitch who introduced them to her student Mercy DÃÂaz, the quartet was formed to start their career, but at that time, Abelardo Busch decided not to continue.
It was then when they were joined by Pedro Humberto Sánchez "El Nene", who had been part of another vocal quartet: Los Ayala.
Los Brito's first formation consisted of: Mercy DÃÂaz (lead vocals), Alfredo Brito, Julio Brito y Pedro Sánchez âÂÂEl NeneâÂÂ.
Los Brito made their official debut in mid-1967 in the Cuban television program "Música y estrellas", directed by Manolo Rifat and hosted by Eva RodrÃÂguez.
They performed the song "MatÃÂas Pérez", by Alfredo Brito, which tells the story of MatÃÂas Pérez, who, according to popular tradition, made a balloon trip from which he never returned. The song, in a humorous tone, compares him to a cosmonaut.
"MatÃÂas Pérez", âÂÂwhose good rhythm did a lot for Los BritoâÂÂ, is immediately accepted by the public.
Later, "MatÃÂas Pérez" is also interpreted by Yolanda Brito (no family relation to the Brito brothers). Cuban television makes "a science fiction production" in which the singer ascends in a balloon.
In December 1968, when the quartet begins to consolidate its initial success, Pedro Sánchez "El Nene" dies.
After Pedro's passing, Los Brito devoted themselves exclusively to rehearsing repertoire.
A few months later, in 1969, they were joined by Abelardo Cordero, a native of HolguÃÂn and former member of "Los Century", who at that time was doing his compulsory military service.
Given the need to rehearse, Los Brito toured the Oriente, performing for MINFAR during the two months that remained for Abelardo to finish his military service, touring the units, polishing their show and repertoire with the reactions of the audience.
For that tour they prepare several premieres: "Para los dos" and "Dame, dame" by Alfredo Brito; "Llueve" by Julio Brito Jr. The most important songs in their repertoire at that time are: "MatÃÂas Pérez" by Alfredo Brito; "Tutankamen", by Julio Brito Jr; "Rumbo al jamás" also by Julio; "Lo material" by Juan Formell and "Quisiera" by Alfredo Brito.
From 1967 to 1983, during the 16 years they remained active, Los Brito consolidated themselves as artists, maintaining a constant presence in the Cuban media (press, radio and television).
They usually perform in radio programs and radio stations such as: Radio Rebelde, Radio Van Van, Sorpresa, Festival, El Cordón de La Habana, Radio Cadena o Nocturno (Radio Progreso).
After finishing the course at the "Music Development and Programming Center", Los Brito starred in a "Recital", a Cuban television program directed by Manolo Rifat and presented by Eva RodrÃÂguez, which was on the air for 20 years.
They become very familiar faces in Cuban television, acting in programs "that had a vast audience" such as: Buenas Tardes, De repente en TV, Pantalla Mágica, De Viernes a Viernes o Juntos a Las Nueve.
They actively participated in the children's television programs Sábado 37, Variedades Infantiles y Juguete, singing and performing songs such as El gatico Ferrufin, Carpintero o El Ratón Barrigón.
They toured the Oriente for two months (see Second stage).
They perform in lodges of the sugar mills and also in the shelters of the schools as part of their presentation in the Zafra de los diez millones.
They give concerts in numerous night clubs in Havana, such as: Copa Room del Havana Riviera, Tropicana, Parisién, Habana Libre, etc.
In 1970, thanks to their popularity, Los Brito were chosen by popular vote to represent Cuba in the "II Festival Internacional de la Canción Popular Varadero 70". On the eleventh day of the festival, Wednesday, November 18, 1970, Los Brito are very well received with their song: "Con un sueño entre las manos".
In 1983, the quartet disbands.
Los Brito managed to consolidate themselves as a vocal group of excellence in Cuban music.
Among the many songs of the quartet that were hits of the time are: "El Banquito", "Y después se perdió", "Cabellos negros", "Poco a poco", "El 4-5-6", "Cuando llego a mi casa", "El soñador", "Noche de fiesta" or "Quiéreme un poquito". Most of the songs they performed were written by Alfredo Brito and his brother Julio Brito.
They stood out for their mixture of pop with purely Cuban rhythms. They are considered one of the pioneers of this fusion of Cuban and foreign music.
In 2016, Cuban singer Daymé Arocena covered the Los Brito song "El 4-5-6", within her second studio album "One takes".
On August 20, 2022, journalist Osvaldo Rojas Garay begins his article in the newspaper Vanguardia (Villa Clara, Cuba), about the Cuban volleyball team, quoting the song "El soñador" by Los Brito.
Some song and recordings by Los Brito: