Néstor Milí Bustillo was a Cuban composer born on February 18, 1910, in Havana, Cuba. He was a significant figure in the development of Cuban music, known for his contributions as a guitarist and composer. In the early 1930s, Milí was part of the Septeto Mora and the ensemble Jóvenes del Cayo, which included notable musicians Miguelito Valdés and Alfredo Boloña.

By 1940, Milí began to gain recognition for his compositions and organized the ensemble "Cubanicay." He was instrumental in founding the association of Cuban troubadours and the Society of Cuban Authors. In 1955, he joined the Société des Auteurs, Compositeurs et Éditeurs de Musique (SACE) in France. Milí also created a mambo dance group, serving as its choreographer, and later organized a combo featuring singers such as Merceditas Chong, Mayensi Chang, and Berta García. His work earned him gold records in Mexico and Spain for the song "El yerbero moderno."

In 1961, Milí founded the vocal quartet "Los Zafiros," recording their first long play. He continued to innovate with groups like "Los Lanceros" and "Milí y sus Ébanos," a modern guaguancó ensemble. Milí aimed to modernize the guaguancó rhythm to facilitate its introduction to other cultures, emphasizing the melodic interpretation of this Afro-Cuban tradition.

Néstor Milí passed away on October 8, 1967, in Havana, leaving behind a legacy of influential compositions across various Cuban music genres, including bolero, chachachá, and guaracha. Some of his notable works include "Lirio y Maltrato," "De retorno," "Sólo tengo un amor," and "El enfermero." His compositions also featured in Mexican films, contributing to the broader dissemination of Cuban music.