In
1899, pianist Antonio María Romeu, well known as El mago de las teclas
(The keys wiz), entered the Danzón world pushing the piano to the
Danzón format, to finally begin shaping the Charanga
genesis.
Influenced by Romeu's virtuosism, notable Matanzas-born pianist
Antonio "Papaito" Torroella (Matanzas, 17/05/1856 - Habana,
9/07/1934), included the piano in his Charanga. Soon, new innovations
gave rise to the piano solos and musicians founded new ways of expression.
In 1910, José Urfé (Madruga, 6/02/1879 - Habana,
13/11/1957), composer, conductor and clarinet player, added a montuno
section at the end of his own danzón "El
Bombin de Barreto" (Barreto's hat). It contained many rhythmic
elements borrowed from the afrocuban son, so, since 1910 on, the
danzón groovings began a new stage in its development of
form and style.
Son,
further influenced Danzón a decade later. The first vocal
Danzón was the danzonete entitled "Rompiendo
la rutina" (Breaking up with the routine) written by Aniceto
Díaz (Matanzas, 1887- Habana, 1964), a former member of Failde's
Orchestra.
Towards the 20's, the danzón formal structure had widened
up due to the vital push of Romeu, Torroella and flutist Leopoldo
Cervantes. With this new influence, the works of many composers,
notable soloists and concert masters, began to spring out: Eliseo
Grenet, Pablo O'Farrill, Cheo Belen Puig, Alfredo Brito, Francisco
Delabat ("Panchito flauta mágica") and Elizardo Aroche
(violinist) together with others of excellent caliber.
Years later, fiddler master Enrique Jorrin (Candelaria, 25/12/1926
- Habana, 1987) developed a new style inspired by the swinging noise
of the dancers-shoe-sole, calling it "chachacha".
It was a genre adopted inside the Danzón.
With the birth of "La
Engañadora" (The Deceiver) in 1951, millions of
people joined the parties and dancing gained new adepts and followers.
Chachachá is a worldwide dance. Together with the "Chiquita
de Prado y Neptuno" and other hits, millions of fans danced
it at parties to become "Chachadictos".
In 1950, Electo Rosell "Chepin"(Santiago de Cuba, 1907-1987),
wrote the danzón hit "Golden Weddings" (Bodas de
Oro), finishing it with the corresponding eastern-influenced son
montuno.
The 50s was the decade in which the charangas begin to flourish
and the Danzón as well as the chachachá, guarachas,
boleros, pasodobles and multiple hit versions coming from Argentinian
tangos, Mexican rancheras and American standards, thrive through
the performances of La Ideal, Siglo XX, la Orquesta Gris, Cheo Belén
Puig, Belisario López, Melodias del '40, Aragón, América,
La América del '55, Neno González and La
Sublime.
In the 60's, pianist Odilio Urfé created "La Charanga
Típica de Conciertos" and the ''Seminars for Popular Music
Players'' in La Iglesia de Paula (Paula Church is near the docks
of Havana).
In this place the professor, composer, pianist-conductor Alfredo
Diez Nieto impulsed all genres with "The Popular Concert Orchestra"
(1965-1982) in which the classics of Liszt, Bach and Gershwin were
played by charanga musicians, pupils from the National School of
Art (ENA), Amadeo Roldán Conservatoire, Revolutionary Armed
Forces bands (FAR) and some friends, guests of the master which
contributed to the difussion of this popular music.
Danzones and Chachachá are still being composed by the newest
and younger generations. Good examples of it are Santa Esmeralda's
''Another Chacha'', Stevie Wonder's "Don't you worry 'bout
a thing" and Herbie Hancock`s "Watermelon man", among
others.
It's like a non-stop shower off-spring. With modern forms of orchestration,
of course, they do keep the genre alive.
Version of Toni Basanta's article A new track for Danzón
players and dancers!!!!!.
More Cuban Music at Discuba
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