J Baker~w/The Lecuona Cuban Boys~1936~La Conga Blicoti~w/vintage film

Josephine Baker on Mexican Mondays and Latin Lunes? Well, yes actually. The Lecuona Cuban Boys traveled from Cuba to Europe in 1936 and while there recorded with several prominent European artists. Elayne Celis recorded the wonderful Tendre Bolero with the Boys and "Josie" recorded this version of La Conga Blicoti. The Lecuona Cuban Boys were founded by Ernesto Lecuona who never played in the band but acted as its' patron. Lecuona was an exceptional pianist and would occasionally give concerts before the band played. While on a tour of Europe in 1934, Ernesto gifted the band his name and the rights to a number of his compositions (both generous gifts were extremely valuable to the band). Lecuona was a prolific composer as well creating over 600 works in the Cuban style. Many of his works were introduced to American audiences by Lucille Ball's husband, Desi Arnaz. The most famous of his works were Malaguena, Siboney, Andalucia and Rhapsodia Argentina. While you may not be familiar with the titles you most likely have heard the music. This song is exhibited here thanks to my friend Mike W who also loaned me all of those wonderful early 1900s discs from the Gus Groos Estate. Mike is a huge Lecuona fan having lived on Ernesto Lecuona's estate in Havana in the 1950s while his dad worked in Cuba as an engineer.
Columbia France, Paris, 1936