José Curbelo facts for kids

José Curbelo (born February 18, 1917, in Havana, Cuba – died September 21, 2012, in Miami, USA) was a talented Cuban-American pianist and music manager. He was a very important person in the world of Latin jazz in New York City during the 1940s. José Curbelo also played a big part in making the Mambo and cha-cha dances popular in the 1950s.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

José Curbelo's parents were both from Cuba. His father had studied classical violin in the United States before returning to play with the Havana Philharmonic orchestra. This musical background likely inspired young José.

As a child, José Curbelo studied music with Pedro Menendez. He was a very quick learner and graduated from the Molinas Conservatory when he was just 15 years old.

Starting His Career in Cuba

In the 1930s, José Curbelo began playing with different Cuban orchestras. He even formed his own group called the Orquesta Havana Riverside. This was an important step in his early music career.

Moving to New York and Forming a Band

In 1939, José Curbelo moved to New York City. There, he played with famous musicians like Xavier Cugat, Juancito Sanabria, and José Morand in the early 1940s.

Creating His Own Ensemble

By 1942, José Curbelo decided to form his very own music group. Many talented musicians played in his band, including Candido, Tito Puente, and Tito Rodriguez. His band often performed in both New York and Miami. They played in some of the most popular nightclubs and ballrooms in these cities.

Popularizing Mambo and Cha-Cha

Starting in 1953, José Curbelo worked with a smaller group, a sextet. This group included musicians like Al Cohn and Jack Hitchcock. Their music was arranged by Cohn, Tito Puente, Rene Hernandez, and Chico O'Farrill.

Recording Hit Songs

Curbelo's band recorded several albums in the cha-cha style. They released these albums with José Morand's Fiesta Records in the 1950s. During this time, Curbelo wrote many memorable songs. Some of his famous tunes include "La La la," "La familia," "La Runidera" (from 1946), "Sun Sun babae" (from 1952), and "Mambo y cha cha cha." These songs have been sung by other great artists like Ray Barreto and Oscar de Leon.

From Performer to Manager

In 1959, José Curbelo decided to stop performing with his band. He then started a new career as a music manager. He founded an agency called Alpha Artists, which helped Latin musicians.

Throughout the 1960s, Curbelo managed most of the big Latin bands in New York. He was very good at working with promoters to get fair deals for his artists.

Later Life and Legacy

Later in his life, José Curbelo invested in real estate. In the 1980s, he moved to Miami. Even there, he continued to help book artists for music festivals.

José Curbelo passed away in 2012. He spent his last few months at a hospice in Aventura, Florida. His contributions to Latin jazz and his role in popularizing Mambo and cha-cha music are still remembered today.