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Xavier CugatOne of the most important figures in the development of Mambo
Date of Birth: 01.01.1900
Country:  Spain |
Content:
Biography of Xavier Cugat
Xavier Cugat was one of the most important figures in the development of Mambo. Born on January 1, 1900, in the city of Girona, Catalonia, Spain, he played a significant role in popularizing Tango, Mambo, Cha-cha-cha, and especially Rumba during the 1930s. Cugat's hit songs, such as "El Manicero" in the 1930s, "Perfidia" in 1940, and "Babalu" in 1944, became highly successful. In 1943, his hit song "Brazil" reached the seventeenth position on the Billboard Top 100 chart. He played his hits in various genres, following the trends from Mambo to Cha-cha-cha.
Early Life and Career
Xavier Cugat, whose full name was Francisco de Asís Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deulofeo, was born in Girona, Catalonia. When he was five years old, his family immigrated to Cuba. At the age of eight, he started learning to play the violin and became the first violinist of the National Theater in Havana at the age of twelve. With a blend of Afro-Cuban rhythms and flamenco, Cugat showcased his unique style of playing.
In 1915, Cugat and his family immigrated to the United States. At that time, Tango was booming in America, and Cugat joined the popular dance group "El Zíngaro." Later, he moved to Los Angeles and worked as a cartoonist for the "Los Angeles Times." In 1920, Cugat formed his own group, a new version of "El Zíngaro," which performed Latin American rhythms. The group regularly performed at "The Coconut Grove" in Los Angeles, but their real success came after their performances in New York. For sixteen years, Cugat and his orchestra represented the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.
Success in Hollywood
After movies started using sound, Xavier Cugat realized that he could make a good living by composing "tropical" music for Hollywood films. His light music, a mixture of Latin American rhythms, can be heard in films like "You Were Never Lovelier" featuring Rita Hayworth, "Bathing Beauty," "Holiday in Mexico," "A Date with Judy," "Neptune's Daughter," and many others.
Personal Life and Later Years
Xavier Cugat was known for his romantic relationships and was married four times. He first married Carmen Castillo in 1929, and their marriage lasted for fifteen years. In 1947, he married Lorraine Allen, and in 1952, he married Abbe Lane, a vocalist in his ensemble, with whom he spent twelve years. In 1966, he married Charo, another member of the group who performed flamenco. This marriage became the first to be registered at "Caesars Palace" in Las Vegas. Cugat lived with Charo until 1978.
Xavier Cugat retired from show business in 1971 after suffering a stroke. He returned to Spain and settled in Barcelona in 1978. On October 27, 1990, he passed away at the age of 90. Xavier Cugat was buried in his hometown of Girona.
