Xavier Cugat
Remembered for his highly commercial approach to pop music, Xavier Cugat (born Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Cru y Deulofeo) made an even greater mark as one of the pioneers of Latin American dance music. During his eight-decade-long career, Cugat helped to popularize the tango, the cha-cha, the mambo, and the rhumba. His hits included "El Manicero" in the 1930s, "Perfidia" in 1940, and the original recording of "Babalu" in 1944. Members of Cugat's band included Desi Arnaz, Miguelito Valdés, Tito Rodriguez, Luis del Campo, Yma Sumac, and his third wife (of four), Abbe Lane. Cugat used the success of his musical career as a springboard for a movie career that included appearances in such films as Gay Madrid (1930), You Were Never Lovelier (1942), Bathing Beauty (1945), Weekend at the Waldorf (1945), Holiday in Mexico (1946), On an Island With You (1948), A Date With Judy (1948), Chicago Syndicate (1955), and Desire Diabolique (1959).
A native of Girona, Spain, Cugat emigrated with his family to Cuba in 1905. Trained as a classical violinist, he played with the Orchestra of the Teatro Nacional in Havana at the age of 12. Emigrating to the United States, sometime between 1915 and 1918, he quickly found work accompanying an opera singer. At the height of the tango craze, in 1918, Cugat joined a popular dance band, the Gigolos. His involvement with the group, however, was brief. As the popularity of the tango faded, he took a job as a cartoonist for The Los Angeles Times. Cugat returned to music in 1920, forming his own group, the Latin American Band. Although they played regularly at the Coconut Grove in Los Angeles and supplied the soundtracks for several musical shorts, the group had its greatest success after moving to New York and became the house band for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Despite being criticized for their middle-of-the-road approach, Cugat remained committed to his commercial-minded sound. He later explained, "I would rather play 'Chiquita Banana' and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve." Cugat and his orchestra remained at the hotel for 16 years. Beautiful women were consistently featured in Cugat's band. After helping Rita Hayworth launch her career, he appeared in her film You Were Never Lovelier. Cugat's recordings of the 1950s featured the singing of his third wife, Abbe Lane. In the mid-'60s, he featured his fourth wife, Charo, who he billed as a "folksinger." Upon his retirement in 1970, Cugat returned to Spain. He died in Barcelona on October 27, 1990. His band, which was led by Tito Puente following his retirement, continued to perform under the direction of dancer, musician, and vocalist Ada Cavallo.
© Craig Harris /TiVo
Artistas semelhantes
-
"Serie All Stars Music" Nº30 Exclusive Remastered From Original Vinyl First Edition (Vintage Lps)
Latin America - Lançado por Vintage Music em 1 de jun. de 2009
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
To All My Friends
Xavier Cugat, Xavier Cugat Orchestra
Latin America - Lançado por Memorylane em 1 de out. de 2021
24-Bit 48.0 kHz - Stereo -
The Brazilian Sound, Vol. 2
Pop - Lançado por Alpha Center Digital em 31 de mar. de 2022
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Classics from the Master Tapes
Lounge - Lançado por Discos Marabú em 4 de mar. de 2022
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Anthology 2022 (All Tracks Remastered)
World - Lançado por jjjedizionimusicali em 15 de jan. de 2022
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
El Millor de Xavier Cugat
Latin America - Lançado por Like Music em 12 de jul. de 2013
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pérez Prado y Xavier Cugat, Vol. 3
Salsa - Lançado por Piros - ISdigital em 10 de abr. de 2015
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Rumba Rumbero
World - Lançado por Green Grass Records em 15 de abr. de 2013
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Pérez Prado y Xavier Cugat, Vol. 2
Salsa - Lançado por Piros - ISdigital em 10 de abr. de 2015
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Sway (Live On The Ed Sullivan Show, March 20, 1955)
World - Lançado por SOFA - AV Catalog DD em 4 de jan. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Vintage Dance Orchestras No. 272 - EP: Staccato Samba
Latin America - Lançado por Vintage Music em 2 de dez. de 1954
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Xavier Cugat: The Very Best
World - Lançado por Efor, S.L em 10 de fev. de 2011
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Lounge Masters: Thrill of a New Romance
Pop - Lançado por Carinco AG em 9 de dez. de 2005
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Invitación Al Mambo Y Cha-Cha-Cha
Latin America - Lançado por DiscMedi S.A. em 15 de set. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
From Miami to Cuba
Abbe Lane, Tito Puente, Xavier Cugat
Latin America - Lançado por Academia Royal em 3 de fev. de 2013
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Xavier Cugat Continental Hits
Musical Theatre - Lançado por Bumerán Music em 8 de fev. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Jungle Drums
Lounge - Lançado por Vantage Music em 7 de out. de 2016
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
El Negro Zumbón
Xavier Cugat, Abbe Lane, Tito Puente
World - Lançado por Soul Vibes em 7 de mai. de 2000
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Legends of Music Collection
Latin America - Lançado por Ling Music Group em 23 de ago. de 2011
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Tequila!
World - Lançado por Amor Indiano em 3 de fev. de 2023
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo -
Big Orchestras. The 20 Greatest Hits
Xavier Cugat, Orquesta Maravella
World - Lançado por Brisa Records em 31 de jan. de 2014
Qualidade de CD de 16 bits 44.1 kHz - Stereo