The Cuban Institute of Music (ICM) has announced the tragic death of 26-year-old Cuban musician José Alberto Reyes Luis, which occurred this past Saturday in the province of Villa Clara following a traffic accident.
Reyes Luis, affectionately known as Cosonga to his friends, was a trombonist in the urban music group led by Velito el Bufón. He was on his way to his hometown, Camagüey, with his bandmates for a scheduled performance, as detailed in the official report.
The group shared a poignant message on their social media platforms to announce the young musician's passing.
"We lost Cosonga, the best young man anyone could ever meet. He was wholesome, full of good vibes, and had a huge heart…. Rest in peace, my brother. We love you and will stand by you until the end as the family we are," they wrote on Instagram.
One band member, speaking on behalf of Velito, confirmed that both he and the band's leader were traveling in one vehicle, while the rest of the group, including Reyes Luis, were in another.
Through tears, he stated, "It’s true, we had an accident at kilometer 265 with the musicians of the Velito band, and Cosonga, the trombonist, passed away."
The statement revealed that several artists were injured in the accident and are receiving medical care at health institutions in Villa Clara.
The ICM, along with the Ministry of Culture and the National Center for Popular Music, extended their condolences to the family and friends of the musician.
The tragic incident took place on the morning of January 17 at kilometer 249 of the National Highway. A minibus carrying the musical group veered off the road and overturned, resulting in one death and 14 injuries.
The injured were initially taken to a polyclinic in Ranchuelo and subsequently transferred to the Arnaldo Milián Castro Hospital in Santa Clara. Authorities have labeled the event as a "massive accident" due to the number of victims and the extensive emergency response, according to gathered reports.
Understanding the Tragic Incident Involving Cosonga
Who was José Alberto Reyes Luis, also known as Cosonga?
José Alberto Reyes Luis, affectionately called Cosonga, was a 26-year-old trombonist in the urban music group led by Velito el Bufón. He was cherished for his positive spirit and large-heartedness.
What caused the accident that led to Cosonga's death?
The accident occurred when the minibus transporting the musical group veered off the National Highway and overturned, resulting in one fatality and several injuries.
How did the music community respond to Cosonga's passing?
The Cuban Institute of Music, Ministry of Culture, and National Center for Popular Music expressed their condolences to Cosonga's family and friends, acknowledging the loss to the music community.