Francisco Emilio Flynn Rodríguez (April 13, 1921 – August 23, 2001), better known as Frank Emilio Flynn, was a renowned Cuban pianist. Despite being blind, he was a skilled and versatile pianist who mastered many forms of Cuban music, from danzas and danzones to filin, descarga and Afro-Cuban jazz. He is one of the most revered and cherished musicians in the history of Cuban music. His career lasted more than six decades. He was present during every major shift in Cuban music in the 20th century.
Francisco Emilio Flynn Rodríguez was born in Havana to a Cuban mother and an American father. His eyes were damaged during birth by the doctor's forceps. As a result, he was unable to distinguish shapes as a child, and by his late teens he was totally blind. From a young age he was known as Frank Emilio instead of Francisco Emilio due to his father. His mother died when he was 5 years old and his father returned to the US, so Flynn was raised by his aunt and uncle. In 1934, when he was only 13 years old, Flynn won an amateur music contest and shortly after began to play danzones by Antonio María Romeu. In 1938, Flynn interrupted his career to complete his studies at a school run by Cuba's National Association for the Blind (a school that Flynn would later serve as president from 1978-1981).
In the 1940s, Flynn became part of the filin music scene which comprised jazz-influenced bolero composers. He accompanied singer Miguel de Gonzalo. In 1946 he founded the Loquibambia
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ensemble together with guitarist and composer José Antonio Méndez, and they started to work for the Mil Diez radio station.
ensemble together with guitarist and composer José Antonio Méndez, and they started to work for the Mil Diez radio station. In 1951, Flynn founded Los Modernistas, and ensemble featuring José Antonio Méndez on guitar, Justi Barreto on percussion and Francisco Fellove on vocals amongst others. The band played at Radio Cadena Habana and toured the island before disbanding. Flynn then joined a son ensemble, Alejandro y sus Muchachos, and in 1955 he recorded four songs with Arcaño y sus Maravillas.
Here's a 1959 recording of "El Bombin de Barreto"
In the '50s, Flynn became a charter member of the Club Cubano de Jazz (a group that played descargas, or jam sessions, raising funds to sponsor visits by jazz colleagues from the U.S.). By the end of the 50s, Flynn was the leader of the Quinteto Instrumental de Musica Moderna, which exclusively specialized in Latin jazz.
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But Flynn was always interested in other musical forms -- during this time, he began studying classical music. Fellow musician and friend Armando Romeu Gonzalez learned braille so he could assist Flynn in making the first transcriptions of one of his all-time favourite classical composers, Ernesto Lecuona. Flynn also helped other blind musicians by developing a technique of writing music, by "countering their natural tendency to learn by ear."
But Flynn was always interested in other musical forms -- during this time, he began studying classical music. Fellow musician and friend Armando Romeu Gonzalez learned braille so he could assist Flynn in making the first transcriptions of one of his all-time favourite classical composers, Ernesto Lecuona. Flynn also helped other blind musicians by developing a technique of writing music, by "countering their natural tendency to learn by ear."After the Cuban Revolution, the members of the Quinteto Instrumental remained in Havana, and in 1962 they took part in the Cuban Popular Music Festival organized by Odilio Urfé. During
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the 1960s, the band would record several albums and EPs. Flynn's solo career continued to thrive with albums such as Danzas cubanas and Música de Cervantes. In 1974, Flynn recorded Frank Emilio presenta a Frank Emilio featuring his Quinteto Instrumental including Carlos Emilio Morales on guitar.
the 1960s, the band would record several albums and EPs. Flynn's solo career continued to thrive with albums such as Danzas cubanas and Música de Cervantes. In 1974, Flynn recorded Frank Emilio presenta a Frank Emilio featuring his Quinteto Instrumental including Carlos Emilio Morales on guitar.In the late 1970s and 1980s, his band expanded incorporating new musicians. This new band was known as Los Amigos. Their debut album was released by Siboney in 1982. During the 1980s, Los Amigos served as the backing band for singer Merceditas Valdés.
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In 1985 they recorded Música de Juan Almeida, an album of compositions by Juan Almeida. In 2007, Warner Music released an album entitled Los Amigos (Jazzcuba Vol. 6) which included archival recordings by Flynn's ensemble from 1960 to 1975.
During the 1990s Flynn recorded several albums for Milan/RCA Records, Ancestral Reflections and for Blue Note
including Barbarísimo (1996). In December 1997 Flynn took part in the Jazz Plaza Festival in Havana. In February 1998 he made his American debut, with Los Amigos, in a Jazz at Lincoln Centre gig. The following year he reunited with his American relatives.
Between 2000 and 2001 he spent much of his time with his relatives in California, where he played live occasionally and gave lectures at California State University, Los Angeles.
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The frail but still active musician was at his piano when he had a heart attack and died August 23, 2001, at his home in Havana (age 80). He was buried at the Cristóbal Colón Cemetery.
Between 2000 and 2001 he spent much of his time with his relatives in California, where he played live occasionally and gave lectures at California State University, Los Angeles.
The frail but still active musician was at his piano when he had a heart attack and died August 23, 2001, at his home in Havana (age 80). He was buried at the Cristóbal Colón Cemetery.
(Edited from mainly from Wikipedia & AllMusic)
Here’s “A Todo Jazz” from 1999.”
Musicians include: Roberto Fonseca, Bellita Exposito and Frank Emilio Flynn on Pianos.Miranda on Congas, William Richard Cardoso on Timbales and Yasser Pino on Bass.