Justo Betancourt

b. 6 December 1940, La Marina, Matanzas, Cuba. Inspiraciones (improvised singing) is basic to most of salsa and it is Betancourt's lyrical spontaneity and creativity, plus his ability to sing in a variety of styles - from the slowest bolero to up-tempo scorchers - with equal expertise, that has made him a ‘singers' singer'. When Betancourt was aged 11, he sang with a small group called Cabeza De Perros, named after the brand of beer that sponsored them. At 16 he sang with the popular group Guaguanco Matancero. In 1958 he began singing with Conjunto Club and recorded with them ...