Cuba and the USA: A Musical Journey

In Cuba and the USA: A Musical Journey the author takes the reader on a voyage filled with pianos, congas, trumpets, drums, guitars, claves and many other instruments. Singers from the past and present are also remembered, this is a book for all music lovers and those interested in the musical conne [...]
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In Cuba and the USA: A Musical Journey the author takes the reader on a voyage filled with pianos, congas, trumpets, drums, guitars, claves and many other instruments. Singers from the past and present are also remembered, this is a book for all music lovers and those interested in the musical connection between Cuban and American musicians from the 1920s until the present time, including those born in the United States of Cuban origin, and their contribution to American musical culture and history. Just as the "British Invasion" change the musical landscape in America during the 1960s, so did the arrival of Cuban musicians in the 1940s and '50s. Readers will learn about a New York-born percussionist who was also lead vocals for the rock band Bon Jovi. A renowned trumpeter was awarded the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science Foundation Awards for Music Education for the most extensive educational program in the entire music industry. Learn about the Cuban version of the famous Andrew Sisters; they arrived in the US in 1945 and in 1954 had a smash hit which sold over 5 million copies. The book chronicles the life and career of Cuba's most beloved composer and pianist, known as the "Cuban Gershwin" who first performed in New York in 1917 and composed music for 6 American motion pictures. Also included is the story of a composer and bandleader whose famous cha cha cha number provided the inspiration for "Louie Louie," one of rock's most notorious songs. Read about a pianist who arrived alone at age 8 and spent the next six years in an orphanage in New Orleans; he made his debut at age 10 with the New Orleans Philharmonic. He has been called "among the finest pianists in the world" (The Baltimore Sun) and a "phenomenal pianist" (The New York Times). Tony Bennett said this of a drummer who came in 1946, "Candido arrived in the United States with his three congas and Jazz music was changed forever." Jazz great Dizzy Gillespie commented about a noted flutist, "He had the most perfect vibrate of any flutist I've ever heard. Man, he sounded like a bird on that flute." Another immigrant was the pianist, arranger and orchestrator for the American television sitcom I Love Lucy and was also the pianist-arranger for The Bob Hope Radio Show and composed motion picture music for Columbia, Paramount and MGM studios. These and many other master musicians are profiled in this musical journey.