Chicho Ibáñez, born José Ibáñez Noriega (Corral Falso, 22 November 1875 – Havana, 18 May 1981) was the longest-lived and one of the most important members of the Cuban
trova. He was significant because, unlike most of the others, he specialized in
Afro-Cuban genres. He was a disciple of the
tresero Eduardo Fusté, and a member of early groups in
Cárdenas, such as
Peonia and that of Benito Tumborombo. Later he moved to Havana, where he joined
Los Veintiuno, directed by Alejandro Sotolongo, which used
claves, maracas,
marimbula, bongó and pianito (a wooden instrument with hemp cords). He worked in other groups, and in the
Sans-Souci, formerly the leading cabaret in Havana.