Justo Betancourt

Justo Betancourt (born December 6, 1940) is a Cuban singer famous for his interpretation of Pa' bravo yo. He was born in Matanzas, but has lived a significant amount of time in Puerto Rico. His music shows Cuban influence but developed in the direction of Puerto Rican Salsa.^[1] Betancourt led a group called Borincuba (Conjunto Borincuba), a combination of the names Cuba and Borinquen, a name for Puerto Rico of Taíno origin.^[2] In addition to recording a number of solo albums, he has played with the Fania All Stars and Sonora Matancera, as well as performing with musicians and singers such as Celia Cruz, Mongo Santamaría, Eddie Palmieri and Ray Barretto, among others.^[3]

Discography

Conjunto Paquito Corazon 1963

• El Explosivo (1968)
• El Que Sabe, Sabe (1970)
• Los Dinámicos (1971)
• Pa' Bravo Yo (1972)
• Sigo Bravo (1974)
• Lo Sabemos (1975)
• Ubane (1976)
• Distanto y Differente (1977)
• The Best of Justo Betancourt (1977)
• ¡Presencia! (1978)
• Yo Sin Ti (1979)
• La Sonora Matancera con Justo Betancourt (1981)
• Leguleya No (1982)
• El Bravo de Siempre (1992)
• Mató (1998)

References

1. César Miguel Rondón, Frances R. Aparicio, Jackie White, The book of salsa: a chronicle of urban music from the Caribbean to New York, UNC Press, 2008.
2. Charley Gerard, Music from Cuba: Mongo Santamaría, Chocolate Armenteros, and Cuban musicians, Praeger, 2001.
3. His rhythmic phrasing, tonality and expression display exceptional artistry and place him among the most skillful of singer rumberos in the salsa tradition. Artists - Betancourt, Justo, www.musicofpuertorico.com, Jan. 3, 2010.