Los Zafiros

The "Los Zafiros" were formed in 1962 in Havana, Cuba. The founding members included Leoncio Morua, (Kike) Eduardo Elio Hernandez Mora (El Chino) originally from Central Tinguaro, Ignacio Elizalde Sanches, native of Havana and Miguel Angel Cancio Soria, also of Havana. Individually they found refuge in the famous neighborhood of Cayo Hueso, where they met. El Chino was a "Chepista" and "Judoka", Kike was a typist for the rental of "Orobus" and Ignacio was a dancer for his aunts dance company. As such Ignacio was the only member who was able to travel throughout Europe. Miguel was a member of the famous quartet to Facundo Rivero, who after a long tour in Venezuela worked his way back home while making a living as a clown known as "Gasparin". Through this experience, Miguel was the only founding member of "Los Zafiros" with artistic experience. The name for the quartet "Los Zafiros", is derived from the precious stone on Miguel Cancio's ring, which he has had since 1965.

Once "Los Zafiros" performed, they immediately became successful. Their unique sound was never before heard in Cuba. Their celebrity status was a result of original music combined with stylistic choreography and movements which were never before seen in Cuba. This caused an immediate sensation which garnished them with thousands of devoted young followers. "Los Zafiros" left an incredible mark never experienced in Cuban artistic circles and they are considered to be the best musical quartet of their generation that attained international recognition.

Their music is still played by the radio stations and their inexplicable disappearance continues to be a mystery today. "Los Zafiros" continued to reign well into the 70's when they separated and disappeared. Ignacio Elizade died in 1981 at the age of 37. Eduardo Hernandez Mora (El Chino) also died infirm and alone in his native Cayo Hueso, in 1995. Miguel Cancio the only surviving vocalist and co-script writer for the "Los Zafiros Story" immigrated to the United States in 1993. He is presently living in Miami. He is presently living in Miami working on his memoirs.