Excited, he was in Europe, where at the beginning of September he had embarked on a tour that would take him through Spain, Switzerland, France, Germany and Portugal. But in Aachen, Germany, Aquiles Báez, a great musician, composer and cultural promoter, died early this Monday, at the age of 58, due to a heart attack.
Báez was born in Caracas on March 1, 1964. He played the cuatro, the guitar, as well as the tres and various percussion instruments.
He explored different genres such as traditional Venezuelan music, jazz, bossa nova, among many others, which gave a particular richness and complexity to the sound of his compositions. His talent has transcended to other latitudes, making him an important reference in music in Venezuela and Latin America.
He debuted on the record scene with the album Aquiles Báez and his music (1987). It would be followed by another 16 productions as well as innumerable collaborations with artists such as Aquiles Machado, Paquito D’Rivera, Ilan Chester, Simón Díaz, Luisito Quintero, Ed Simon, Mike Marshall, Ensamble Gurrufío, Nana Vasconcelos, Worlds of Guitars and Luciana Souza, among many others. others.
Recognized as one of the forerunners of the new sound of Venezuelan music, Báez was the founder of Guatacafrom which it was proposed to promote and promote contemporary music made in Venezuela as well as support new talents.
With his death, the music of the country loses one of its great promoters and followers; a talented, generous and supportive man. Great friend of his friends.