Pío Leyva was born in Morón, Ciego de Ávila, in 1915. He began his artistic career as bongo player in the "Siboney de Morón" orchestra. Later, he began singing in trios and in popular music groups and moved to Camagüey, where he sang with the "Hermanos Licea" orchestra. Nevertheless, his true professional debut was in 1932, when he joined the "Caribe" Septet directed by Master Juanito Blez.
In 1956 Pío Leyva moved to Havana and, together with the "Sabor de Cuba" Jazz Band, directed by the great Bebo Valdés, he recorded the themes "Chapaleando" and "Sin caña y sin platanal" for the RCA Victor label, both songs resounding hits at that time.
In 1959 Leyva and Valdés together with their musicians, visited Mexico, specially hired to perform at the exclusive "Los Globos" cabaret and in other renowned Mexican scenarios, where they were already known due to very popular themes such as "Yo bailo con ella", "Pío Mentiroso" and "Cariñoso sí, mentiroso no". In these songs, Leyva showed his excellence as a true interpreter of the native sense of humour.
Also in the 1950´s, Pío made recordings and presentations with emblematic personalities of the Cuban musical world like the Niño Rivera, Mariano Mercerón and many others. During this decade, he reaffirmed his quality as a son, bolero, rumba, mambo and other Caribbean rhythms singer, often appearing in large theatres and performing in famous night centers of the country as well as in popular dance halls. Pío Leyva recorded for Puchito, RCA Victor, Velvet, Maipe and Gema labels and became a star idolized in countries like Venezuela, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
In the following two decades, Pío Leyva continued performing at different scenarios throughout the Island, also recording for the EGREM label. At the end of the 1980s, he recorded an LP once again for this label with the "Los Kimbos" group, including versions of his old-time hits as author and interpreter.
In 1996, at 78 years old, he joined the Buena Vista Social Club project. He made several recordings which obtained great international success and participated in innumerable concerts given abroad. He also integrated the Afro Cuban All Stars, under the direction of the excellent Cuban très player and orchestrator Juan de Marcos González.
In 2001, at 84 years old, Pío Leyva recorded for the Unicornio label under his name, together with friends like Silvio Rodríguez, Omara Portuondo, Compay Segundo, Pedro Calvo, Teresa García Caturla, Guillermo Rubalcaba, "Ignacio Piñeiro" National Septet, and the "Clave y Guagancó" group. The CD which includes some of Pío Leyva´s compositions as well as some from other authors, embraces diverse genres such as son montuno, rumba, guaracha and guaguancó.
Pío Leyva is a myth in the Cuban musical history and his genuine Cuban way of performing, presented throughout the world, constitutes a great honor for his country.
Source: Timba.com