Background
Villa Fernández was born in Guanabacoa, and studied at the Mateu Conservatoire of Havana.
Villa Fernández was born in Guanabacoa, and studied at the Mateu Conservatoire of Havana.
After Montaner returned to Cuba, Villa Fernández remained in Mexico and developed an original performance style as a pianist and singer. He was an elite rather than a popular figure, a sophisticated cabaret stylist known for ironic patter, subtle musical interpretation, with a repertoire that included songs in French, English, Catalan, Portuguese and Italian. He was black and gay, self-confident in his personality, and was accepted for what he was: a memorable talent.
Bola de Nieve was a fervent supporter of the Castro regime.
He was one of the few Cuban homosexuals not to be persecuted, perhaps for this reason. Gay Cuban writer Reinaldo Arenas, in his autobiography Antes que anochezca (Before Night Falls), said about him: "Era el calesero del Partido Comunista" ("He was the coachman of the Revolution").
He died in Mexico City during a musical visit. He was the subject of a 2003 documentary which included interviews with fellow musicians, friends, relatives, and experts.