• Submitted by: lena campos
• Personalities
• 05 / 07 / 2013

---

Fans of composer Cesar Portillo de la Luz paid posthumous tribute today to the author of "Contigo en la Distancia" and other classics from Cuba''s musical heritage.

The ashes of the legendary artist remained briefly in a central Havana funeral parlor, where wakes have traditionally been held for the most well-known figures from the worlds of Cuban art, sport, and society.

Portillo de la Luz died on Friday, May 3, at the age of 90, an event that moved many both in Cuba and internationally, because his work was known worldwide.

"Contigo en la distancia" and "Delirio" were two of the best-known songs by the founder of "feeling" music, widely performed by classical as well as pop stars.

Placido Domingo, Lucho Gatica, Pedro Infante, Nat King Cole, Luis Miguel, Caetano Veloso, Maria Bethania, and Christina Aguilera are among the singers who sang "Contigo en la Distancia."

Portillo received the 2004 National Music Award in Cuba, and that year was also awarded the Latin Lifetime Achievement Award by the Spanish Academy of Music Arts and Sciences.

Source: Prensa Latina