On Monday, renowned Cuban musician Cándido Fabré shared a heartfelt video on his Facebook page, visibly shaken as he announced the sudden passing of Rubén Leliebre, the beloved flutist of his band, affectionately known as "Lele." "I'm heartbroken, in pain, shattered. This is news I never wanted to share," Fabré uttered with a trembling voice from his studio, where he was working when he received the tragic news.
"Just a short while ago, our flutist Rubén Leliebre passed away. Leliebre to us and to the world. It's a devastating piece of news that has taken the world by surprise, especially the music community. The Lele of the band has passed," Fabré lamented.
Deeply moved, Fabré also remembered Ramón, the group's tumbadora player, who had recently died. "We've lost Rubén, our lead flutist. We've lost Ramón, the tumbador. Oh God, protect us, guide us, watch over us, and save us!" he expressed in his poignant message.
The singer confirmed his plans to travel to Santiago de Cuba to pay a spiritual tribute to his stage partner: "We're heading to Santiago, not to say goodbye, but to be there with him spiritually."
Fabré concluded by thanking the public for their support and affirming that Lele will continue to live "in our hearts." "May God hold him in glory," he concluded.
Beyond his role in Cándido Fabré's orchestra, Rubén Leliebre was also a member of esteemed groups such as Los Van Van and participated in significant musical projects across Cuba. The National Center of Popular Music highlighted this in a moving tribute, describing him as "a peasant filled with musical notes. A flutist, arranger, an extraordinary creator."
"Fly high, my friend, you will join the stars that illuminate our daily music," the cultural entity concluded.