Edmundo Ros facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edmundo Ros
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Edmundo Ros (1957)
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Edmund William Ross |
| Born | 7 December 1910 Port of Spain, Trinidad |
| Died | 21 October 2011 (aged 100) Alicante, Spain |
| Genres | Latin American |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, vocalist and band leader |
| Years active | 1939–1975 |
| Labels | Parlophone, Decca (UK) London (US and Canada) |
Edmundo Ros (born Edmund William Ross on December 7, 1910) was a famous musician, singer, and bandleader from Trinidad and Venezuela. He became very well-known in Britain. He led a popular Latin American orchestra, recorded many songs, and even owned a famous nightclub in London. He passed away on October 21, 2011.
Contents
Early Life and Musical Start
Edmund William Ross was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad. His mother was a teacher from Venezuela. His father was of Scottish descent. Edmund was the oldest of four children.
He became interested in music at a young age. He learned to play the euphonium and percussion instruments. When he was 17, he moved to Caracas, Venezuela. There, he studied music at the Academy of Music.
He played drums in nightclubs in Caracas. He also played in the Martial Band of Caracas. Soon, he became the timpanist (a type of drummer) for the new Venezuela Symphony Orchestra. People often called him "Edmundo Ros," making many believe he was Venezuelan.
Later, he received a scholarship from the Venezuelan government. From 1937 to 1942, he studied music in London at the Royal Academy of Music. During this time, he also sang and played percussion in a band at the Embassy Club.
Leading a Famous Orchestra
In August 1940, Edmundo Ros started his own band. It was called Edmundo Ros and His Rumba Band. They played Latin American music. In 1941, he made his first recordings with Parlophone. One of his first songs was "Los Hijos de Buda."
His band often played at the Coconut Grove club in London. Many important people, including members of the royal family, came to listen. His bands usually played in London's fancy clubs and restaurants. Princess Elizabeth, who would later become queen, even danced to his music. This helped make his name very famous. His gentle rhythms and engaging singing made him popular. His orchestra was often invited to play at Buckingham Palace.
By 1946, Edmundo Ros was very successful. He owned a club, a dance school, a record company, and an agency for artists. His band grew to 16 musicians and was renamed Edmundo Ros and His Orchestra.
Hit Songs and Albums
His song "The Wedding Samba" in 1949 sold three million copies. His album Rhythms of The South (1958) was one of the first high-quality stereo records. It sold a million copies! He recorded with Decca Records for 30 years, from 1944 to 1974. He made over 800 recordings in total.
In 1950, King George VI invited him to perform at Windsor. That same year, he married Britt Johansen, a Swedish aristocrat.
Edmundo Ros's Club
In 1951, Ros bought the Coconut Grove club on Regent Street. In 1964, he renamed it Edmundo Ros's Dinner and Supper Club. The club was known for its great atmosphere and music. However, it closed in 1965. This was because new gambling casinos attracted many of his customers.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Edmundo Ros orchestra was often on BBC Radio. They continued to appear on Radio Two Ballroom into the early 1970s.
Later Career and Retirement
In the early 1960s, he worked with the Ted Heath orchestra. They made an album called Heath versus Ros (1964). This album used the new stereo recording technology.
As rock bands like The Beatles became popular, musical tastes changed. This affected Ros's popularity, but he kept playing into the 1970s. In 1975, during a tour in Japan, he decided to break up his orchestra. He destroyed most of his music arrangements. This officially ended the orchestra.
In 1994, Edmundo conducted and sang with the BBC Big Band. This was at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. The concert was a big success. A Japanese recording company then invited him to record another CD.
Awards and Recognition
Edmundo Ros received many honors. He became a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats in 1964. This is a special group for entertainers. A year later, he was given the Freedom of the City of London. He was also a Freemason.
In 1991, he became a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Music. Fans and journalists often called him the King of Latin Music.
In 2000, when he was 90 years old, Queen Elizabeth II honored him. She made him an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He received this award at Buckingham Palace. Edmundo Ros lived to be 100 years old, celebrating his birthday on December 7, 2010.
Personal Life
Edmundo Ros was married twice. His first wife was Britt Johansen, whom he married in 1950. They had two children, Anders Douglas and Britt Luisa. He designed and built a large house in London. He named it Edritt House, combining his and his first wife's names. His second wife was Susan, whom he married in 1971.
Death
Edmundo Ros retired and moved to Jávea, Alicante, Spain. His last public performance was on January 8, 1994. He passed away on October 21, 2011, just before his 101st birthday.
See also
In Spanish: Edmundo Ros para niños
