Cuban bassist Orlando "Cachaito" Lopez, a member of the island nation's legendary Buena Vista Social Club, has died at the age of 76.
Lopez's fellow musicians say the bassist died of complications associated with prostate surgery.
Lopez was one of several veteran Cuban musicians brought together in 1996 by U.S. guitarist and music producer Ry Cooder as part of a film documentary and music album. The musicians had all been a part of the glory days of the Cuban nightclub scene before the rise of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in 1959.
The band, which has gained international acclaim since the release of the film and album, has lost many of its key members in recent years, including singers Compay Segundo and Ibrahim Ferrer, and pianist Ruben Gonzalez.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and AP.
