Benito Antonio Fernández Ortiz, known as Ñico Saquito, was born on February 13, 1901 in Santiago de Cuba and was a composer. At age 15, he began writing songs and decided to pursue a career as a troubadour, abandoning his promising baseball career. In the 1920s, Ñico Saquito formed his own group and joined the Castillo Quartet, touring extensively across Cuba. He later founded Los Guaracheros de Oriente, with whom he performed in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela throughout the 1950s. Notable works include "Esto es Cuba" (1956), "Linda Guajira" (1960), and Good-bye Mr Cat (1993). His compositions were featured in films such as Rincón criollo (1951). His musical output comprises over 500 compositions and have become part of the repertoire of the most prominent Cuban and international artists. He passed away on August 4, 1982 in Santiago de Cuba.
