by Jaime Vanegas
Roberto “Beto” Ávila
Roberto “ Beto “ Ávila, saxophonist of Salvadoran nationality, died at age 81 in the city of San Francisco.
Don Beto, as he well known by all the musicians who played with him, was already retired from the music, but in his years of youth he lived many years in Colombia many, and travelled around Europe in several occasions with the best Colombian bands of the time.
Once he started residing in San Francisco, one of the last bands with which he played for a period of time in the 80s, was “Sun and Rhythm”, at the already disappeared Club Siboney where presently Club Tropigala is located.
A mass in his memory was performed at the Church of Epifania of San Francisco on Saturday, June 6, to which there came his relatives and musicians who played with Don Beto. Among them were Mariano Acevedo, of group Marianao; (retired) saxophone player Carlos Castillo, a good friend of Don Beto; base player Carlos Ramírez of Orquesta Bakán; Joaquín Pla, Colombian percussionist; and this writer, percussionist Jaime Vanegas.
The staff of El Reportero sends hearty condolence to the family and friends of Don Beto.
