MIGUELITO VALDES Y SU ORQUESTA - La Comparsa

Internationally famous sonero (improvising Latin singer), composer, and riveting entertainer; nicknamed 'Mr Babalú' because he recorded and performed the song so often: an acclaimed pioneering interpreter of Afro-Cuban songs, which both celebrated the heritage of Cuban blacks and highlighted their suffering. He took his music from the streets of Havana to the international stages and established an enduring legacy in the process.

Born to a Cuban-Spanish father and Mexican Maya Indian mother; from age ten he grew up in Havana's Cayo Hueso district listening to Santeria (Afro-Cuban cult music) and classical music; in his teens he befriended Arsenio Rodriguez, Chano Pozo and Félix Chappottin; their musical careers would all intertwine and all would become Cuban musical legends in their own right.

By 1927 he was a singer with Sexteto Habanero Juvenil; by 29 he joined group Sexteto Occidente as a chorus singer; Machito was also a member at the time. He relocated to Panama '33-36; and became a major star there as the vocalist with Lucho Azcarraga orchestra. Shortly after he returned to Cuba in '36, leader Manolo Castro recruited him for Los Hermanos Castro. Valdés's innovative improvisational rendition of Afro-Cuban numbers caused a sensation. Finding Castro's band too inflexible, he and six other members departed '37 to organize the band Orquesta Casino de la Playa, signed with RCA Victor and made about 200 78s, including Valdés's original '39 hit version of Babalú. This was the short yet productive period where he made his reputation, and established his credentials

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Mr
• Babalú
• salsa
• afro
• cuban
• band
• orquesta
• new
• York
• Cuba
• Miguelito
• Valdes
• La
• Comparsa

[gomerijos]

Grabacion realizada en La Habana en1946.Miguelito Valdes fue contratado para la inaguracion del Caribe Hilton en1949.