Havana, Cuba - The Cuban Music Institute in Havana confirmed today that pianist Rubén González died in the Cuban capital. Details were not provided about his death. Funeral services were scheduled for Tuesday.

Rubén González was one of Cuba's best pianists. He became very well known in the late 90s for his contribution to the Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon.

Rubén González was born in Santa Clara in April of 1919. By the time he was fifteen,he had graduated as a pianist from the Cienfuegos Conservatory. He moved to Havana in 1941 and soon began to play with all the major orchestras: La Orquesta Paulina, Conjunto Camayo, Los Hermanos, Mongo Santamaría, etc. He later recorded with the legendary Arsenio Rodríguez.