Guillermo Portabales
José Guillermo Quesada Castillo, better known as Guillermo Portabales, was born
on April 6, 1911, in Rodas, Cuba. He began his career at age 11 as a printer's
assistant and made his radio debut in 1928 on station CMHI. Initially singing
various styles—including canción, tango, bolero, and son—he found success with
the guajira genre, developing his signature salón guajira style. Portabales
moved to Puerto Rico in 1937, where he performed extensively. In 1939, he
married Arah Mina López and returned to Cuba that same year. He toured Latin
America and the United States throughout th...
