(Prensa Latina - Cumbancha) Havana, Cuba - The president of the General Society of Authors and Publishers of Spain, Eduardo "Teddy" Bautista, told Prensa Latina that Cuban singer-songwriter Carlos Varela deserves his Hollywood success with the song "Una Palabra" (One Word). Bautista, head of the institution that represents artists such as Silvio Rodriguez, Fito Paez, Ana Belen, Victor Manuel, Joan Manuel Serrat and Joaquin Sabina, said the film Man on Fire starring Denzel Washington, and featuring Varelas song, has been a box office success.

Founded more than 50 years ago, the Society of Authors and Publishers represents thousands of Latin American authors. Lately, it has succeeded with Cuban composer Cesar Portillo de la Luz song "Contigo en la Distancia," sung and recorded for the US market by pop diva Christina Aguilera. Singers Diego El Cigala and Martirio (Spain), and Dominican singer-songwriter Victor Victor, honor prize at Cubadisco 2004, are other General Society acts attending the Cubadisco 2004 Music Fair, running from May 23 to 30.

Diego el Cigala will present his album Lágrimas Negras on May 28 at Havana´s 5,000 seat Karl Marx Theater, accompanied by pianist Chucho Valdes. The album is a deep-felt mixture of Cuban music and flamenco recorded by El Cigala with Bebo Valdes, father of Chucho and grandfather of Roberto Carlos (Cucurucho), all excellent pianists. Moreover, the Fair awarded Carlos Varela (best trova-pop-rock album and best graphic design awards) for "Siete," along with singer-songwriter Silvio Rodriguez (best producer of the year) and Sergio Vitier, for the soundtrack of the film "Roble de Olor." Chucho Valdes and the group Irakere received a prize for Thirty Years in Jazz, as well as the group Sintesis for "Trilogia Ancestros."

[Photos: 1 - Carlos Varela, 2 - Diego El Cigala with Bebo Valdés].