NEW YORK (AP) - Classical guitarist Rolando Valdes-Blain has died in New York City after a life spent performing to audiences from Broadway to the White House.
Valdes-Blain’s family said Friday he died at home April 2. He was 89.
Valdes-Blain was born in Cuba and immigrated to New York as a child. In the 1930s he and his brother Alberto had a weekly music show on WNYC radio.
After serving in World War II he toured worldwide, performed with the Spanish Ballet and appeared in Tennessee Williams’ Broadway play “Camino Real.” He also composed the music for the play “Bullfight.”
In 1955 Valdes-Blain was a soloist with the Radio City Music Hall orchestra. He founded the Guitar Department at the Manhattan School of Music, and in 1968 he performed at the White House.
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