Ricardo Leyva. Gemini in the Horoscope and Chango's son in the Rule of Ocha, Ricardo Leyva was born in Santiago de Cuba in 1959. Since he was a kid, he loved music but family traditions did not help him in his determination. His primary and secondary studies were in his homeland and, because of his family, he travelled to Havana to begin his professional life in the Navy Academy. He always wanted to be a musician so he became Norman Milanés's pupil who, at that time, was the Director of the Navy Band, and received lessons in the prestigious Conservatory "Ignacio Piñeiro". His family was one again a motive of migration and he decided to return to Santiago; but this time he is a mature young guy with desires and inclinations and decided to devote himself completely to the music. In 1987, because his exceptional characteristics as musician he became Director of "El Conjunto Sur Caribe". The result of his work is in front of everyone. He has received rewards and prizes. For his human and interpretative qualities, he is distinguished son of Guama municipality in Santiago de Cuba where El Turquino, La Plata and El Uvero are located; places of great significance for Santiago and Cuba. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.