Cuban musician Ibrahim Ferrer, who recently rose to worldwide prominence as a member of Buena Vista Social Club, died on Saturday in Havana at the age of 78. The cause was reportedly multiple organ failure. He was taken to the hospital on Wednesday upon his return from a European tour.

Those who have seen the Buena Vista Club documentary will remember Ferrer's supple voice and irresistable charm and especially the manner he came into the project. It was such an unlikely and warming story of a man's unexpected rebirth that was fostered by Cooder's deep respect for Ferrer and the others. From the Buena Vista bio at Nonesuch Records: "When a country-style sonero of the old school was required for the World Circuit sessions, Ibrahím was literally plucked off the streets of Havana where he was taking his daily walk."

The Chicago Sun-Times has an outstanding article on Ferrer that pulls from a past interview with the paper. And there's this from an article at the Independent:

"A legend of the Cuban music scene in the 1950s and 1960s, Ferrer fell into obscurity and poverty. He was shining shoes when the American guitarist Ry Cooder found him. Ferrer said: 'An angel came and picked me up. He said, "Chico, come and do this record".'"

Ferrer was a link to an almost forgotten past. Said Cooder, "It's the last chance in the world to work with such a voice." The Buena Vista Social Club was a rare phenomenon in music, one that brought Cuban music to the ears of those who normally wouldn't listen to son or bolero. A successful brand was created and many solo projects were spun off. Ferrer's death follows the passing of Buena Vista pianist Ruben Gonzalez in December of 2003 and guitarist Compay Segundo in September of the same year, both of whom enjoyed successful solo careers in the wake of Buena Vista's popularity. Eliades Ochoa and Omara Portuondo have also had successful careers with many solo albums to their names.