At the age of 11 he studied the saxophone at Escuela Provincial de Arte (Arts School of Matanzas Province) in Matanzas, Cuba. Later on, he studied Classical music at the Escuala Nacional de Arte –ENA (National Arts School of Cuba) where he begins studying the Oboe. He had started teaching music at an early age while performing with Classical and traditional orchestras of Cuba such as the Symphony of Matanzas, Yaguarimu, Quimica Perfecta, Pacason, Angel Bonne and Rojitas y su Grupo.

The experience acquired with these bands allowed him to study in depth a large variety of Cuban rhythms and styles, traveling to other countries and empowering his teaching techniques with a bigger musical vision. He has dedicated all these years to the study of piano, developing a higher professional career that got him awards and recognition in Cuba. He has then, participated in both, Classical and popular concerts.

Now in Toronto, Orlando Cardoso has participated in numerous recording projects as composer, arranger as well as performer. He has also played with most bands and artistic projects of high caliber, such as Hilario Duran jazz band, Amanda Mrtinez, Luis Mario Ochoa, Cimarron, Puente Brothers, Son Ache, Cassava Latin Rhythms and many others. He is responsible for all musical arrangements of CASSAVA’s CD “Encuentros” and “Color de Rumba”, released in 2008.