Septeto Habanero Surprised by Latin Grammy Nomination

Havana, Sep 11. -The director of the Septeto Habanero band, Felipe Ferrer, expressed to Prensa Latina his surprise at its nomination to the 2010 Latin Grammys.

"The nomination comes amid celebrations for the 90th birthday of the group. It is the first after nine decades of uninterrupted work. We are happy," he said.

The band competes with the CD "90 years", in the traditional tropical album category, along with another of the oldest bands in the island, Sierra Maestra, with "Sonando ya".

Among the oldest selected songs are Elena la Cumbanchera, A la loma de Belén, Papá Montero and El magnífico Servando, with which they pay tribute to some of its members, including Pedro Ibáñez, Gerardo Martinez and Servando Arango.

When he was asked how he sees the group after 90 years, he said that the future lies in the hands of the new members, with the arrival of the bongo player Dayron Rodriguez, 12 years old, and the singer Yulaisy Ferrer, 19.

We are the continuation of this legendary band of Felix Chapotín, Cheo Marquetti and Panchito Riset. Our responsibility, he added, is to keep the tradition alive with some changes.