Son of talented bass player Orestes López, aka Macho, and nephew of Cuban star Israel López, mostly known as Cachao, Cachaito López (born Orlando López Vergara) started taking violin and bass classes at a young age. López participated in the Riverside Orchestra and later joined Arcano y Sus Maravillas. In 1960, Cachaito López turned to classical music while playing with the Cuban Symphonic Orchestra without leaving his passion for Latin jazz. In the 1990s he teamed up with Juan de Marcos González to play bass for Afro-Cuban All Stars and the Buena Vista Social Club. After issuing 1997's Cachaito López, Nick Gold produced his following album, released in 2001.