His first orchestra was the Conjunto Supremo de Berto Ramos. He sang along with José Calvo Cueras until Enrique Pérez (director of the Conjunto Bolero) convinced him to join his group.

With the Conjunto Bolero he got to know many atmospheres working in fiestas, dance schools and recreational societies that were typical of the time. He often went to the Playa Marianao (Música de Fritas) singing in nightclubs such as El Niche, Pompiliu and Mi Bohío.

He had acquired a lot of popularity at this time and in 1950 he had the opportunity of a lifetime! Félix Chappottín spoke to him in “La Tropical” and invited him to join Chappottín y sus Estrellas.

He was with them until the beginning of the 1960s when he decided to join the Charanga of Neno González who took him to the optimum point of his career. It was during this time that he sang with Paulina Álvarez,”La Reina de la Danzote”, and (The Queen of Danzote).

At that time, the Neno González Orchestra was adapting their “soneos”. Mazacote's voice fitted in perfectly. One of his greatest assets was the way he was able to adapt his voice to any musical format.

With Neno González, he made the following songs popular; “Se Secó manantial”, “El Sazón de tus Frijoles”, “Viejo Celoso”, “Lunita Redondita”, “El Molote”, and others.

At the beginning of the 70s, he decided to go back to Chappottín y sus Estrellas until his retirement in 1988. During this time he was awarded a prize for his singing.

He not only was known as a great singer, but also great songwriter for songs like; “Olla Olla”, “Che-Che”, Nicolás Corrió, “Cuéntame de ti”, “Vida y Besos” or “Mi muerta Ilusión”, wich were all hits in Cuba.

His album “De Profesión... Sonero” was made with the Septeto Matamoros managing to reach the number one spot with “Mi muerta Ilusión” and also a prize in the CUBADISCO award ceremony in 2001.

His last CD “El Figurón” (Envidia) gives an opportunity to flavour his mystical and unique voice with tracks such “Soy de Buena Vista”, “Lengua Lisa”, “Frutas del Caney” or “Oye Sabullo”. 

After the success of the documentary film of Wim Wenders “Buena Vista Social Club”, Mazacote comes back on stage as one of the great soneros who accompanies the band of Juan De Marcos: The Afro-Cuban All-Stars.

Since 2007 and under the impulse of the director of LA SONORA CUBANA, "Chuchi" Rivera, he regularly has been coming to Europe to perform in several festivals (5olidaridad con Cuba Oxfam in Brussels, Schelde Jazz, Semana Cubana in Luxembourg, Encontri Internazionale della Musica in Salerno, etc.).

It's always with the same enthusiasm and a tireless energy that Mazacote vest with the LA SONORA CUBANA project. An album containing his music works and other Cuban standards is coming soon.

Today he represents one of the most emblematic and incontrovertible figures of the traditional and popular Cuban music. His inimitable and irresistible voice fulfils of happiness the fans and moves deeply the ones who didn't know him yet.

Ignacio “Mazacote” Carrillo, is an authentic Cuban Son maestro, a real gem coming from the Golden Age of Cuban music, a living legend and a mentor for the new generations.