He was not the best, but he was the most authentic; he did what he felt and not what was convenient for him. His music and his songs were a cry from the jungle, a loud cry of Cuban music.
He was born on October 5 (Pop Music Day), 1951. He reached the age of 71, lived long enough to leave for history a new rhythm: "La timba" (son, guaracha, mambo and rumba), all fused in a musical pottage with Caribbean and pop-jazz flavors. True funky Cuban style.
But, there is more, it was the detonator of a boom of Cuban music (salsa with timba), massive dancing, multitudinous concerts of joy.
He brought massive joy to an entire people in difficult times, in times when, as José Martí said, music can save an entire people.
Cortés achieved as much as he set out to do, he wanted great Cuban music to travel all over Cuba in dredges full of sound equipment to perform concerts in stadiums, squares and parks.
José Luis Cortés is going to meet his musical friends up there in heaven, his life is rising, his genius is rising. He is going to meet Juan Formell, Adalberto and Revé: three of the greatest contemporary timba musicians of the end of the 20th century.
Also at the reception will be: Dámaso Pérez Prado, Aresenio, Piñeiro, Matamoros, Egües y Lay, Jorrín, Rolando Valdés... popular classics of the best Cuban music. We know that Cortés will be well received there and, here, it will take us a long time to forget him.
He left many masterpieces, he left many experiences, he left much love to his culture, to the national identity.
Rest in peace José Luis Cortés, a musician who never slept: he lived for Cuban music.
Taken from El Portal de la Cultura Cubana: Cubarte
