Name: Francisco De Asis Javier Cugat Mingall De Cru Y Deulofeo
Date of birth: January 1, 1900
Deceased: October 27, 1990
Place of birth: Girona, Spain.
Francisco De Asis Javier Cugat Mingall De Cru Y Deulofeo, better known as Xavier Cugat, is the pioneer of Latin dance music. Throughout his long career, which lasted for more than eight decades, Cugat helped popularize genres such as the tango, the cha cha chá, the mambo and the rumba. His biggest hits were "El manicero", "Perfidia" and the original version of "Babalu".
Early days
Cugat was born in Girona, Spain, and moved to Cuba with his family at the age of 5. His training as a classical violinist allowed him to play in Havana’s National Theatre Orchestra when he was only 12. He went to the U.S. sometime between 1915 and 1918, where he soon found work accompanying an opera singer. After a short time as a comic strip artist for the Los Angeles Times, he returned to music in 1920 when he formed his own band.
Music career
For 16 years Cugat helmed the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel's Orchestra. He shuttled between New York and Los Angeles for most of the next 30 years.
Despite the fact that his true passion was movies, Cugat continued playing until his retirement in 1970, when he returned to Spain, where he died on October 27, 1990. His band, directed by Tito Puente after his retirement, currently continues working under the direction of dancer, musician and singer Ada Cavallo.
Trivia:
In 1940, his recording of "Perfidia" with singer Miguelito Valdés became a big hit. Cugat followed trends closely, making records for the conga, the mambo, the cha-cha-cha, and the twist when each was in vogue. Several of the songs he recorded, including "Perfidia", were used in the Wong Kar-wai films Days of Being Wild and 2046. In 1943, "Brazil" was a big hit, reaching #17 in the Billboard Top 100.
Discography:
1949 - Xavier Cugat
1949 - Tropical Bouquets
1952 - Relaxing with Cugat
1958 - The King Plays Some Aces
1959 - Chile con Cugie
1960 - Cugat in France, Spain, and Italy
1961 - Viva Cugat!
1961 - Cugat Plays Continental Favorites
1963 - Cugi's Cocktails 1964 Cugat Caricatures
1986 - Xavier Cugat Y Su Oro Merengue
1992 - Adios Muchachos
1994 - The New Xavier Cugat Orchestra Hot! Hot! Hot!
By Lourd Vijay
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About the Author: Lourd Vijay is the principal Promoter of Latin culture, music and dance in the Asian Region. He recently stood 10th at the “most Popular Entrepreneur of the year 2009” amongst 180 nominees from across the country. An innovative choreographer and a very able instructor, he is the director of the Lourd Vijay’s Dance Studios (www.lvds.in) in India.
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