The laúd playing of Barbarito Torres provided one of the most unforgettable moments on the Buena Vista Social Club album when, during the recording of his solo in El Cuarto de Tula, he attacked his instrument so fiercely that Eliades Ochoa is prompted to exclaim: “¡Se volvió loco Barbarito!” (Barbarito has gone mad!). Torres played in a series of military bands during the 1970s, before settling in Havana and becoming a permanent member of Orquesta Cubana de Cuerdas. He became musical director for Celina Gonzalez’s Grupo Campoalegre and worked with many of the biggest names in Cuban music as well as international stars such as Oscar de León. He has also played with the Afro-Cuban All Stars and his solo album Havana Café featured guest appearances by Ibrahim Ferrer and Omara Portuondo. He has released four solo albums and is revered as a great maestro of Cuban music.