Lecuona Cuban Boys

The Lecuona Cuban Boys was a Cuban popular band during the 30's and 40's. The founder was Ernesto Lecuona. One of the most successful Cuban composers of all time. He did not actually play with the band. The core of the band was put together in 1931 as Orquesta Encanto. In 1934, during being on tour in Europe, Lecuona returned to Cuba and Armando Oréfiche took charge of the band in Europe. Ernesto gave them the gift of his name and the band became known as the Lecuona Cuban Boys. The band mostly had eleven members.

Members:
Armando Oréfiche (composer, arranger, pianist)
Ernesto 'Jaruco' Vázquez (trumpeter, guitarist, composer, arranger)
Adalberto 'Chiquito' Oréfiche (tenor sax and bongo)
Agustin Bruguera (timbales, conga, voice)
Gerardo Bruguera (tenor sax and clarinet)
Jesús Bertomeu (trombone)
Jorge Domínguez (alto sax, clarinet, violin)
Daniel González (alto sax, clarinet, violin)
Guillermo Hernández (guitar, tumba, guiro, maracas)
Enrique López Rivero (trumpet)
Alberto Rabagliatti (voice)
Fernando Díaz (trumpet)
Luis Escalante (trumpet)

The band toured throughout the world. During World War II the band went to Latin America and continued their touring there. After WWII there was a dispute within the band, which ended in a split. Armando Oréfiche left with a few members, and started the Havana Cuban Boys, whilst the rest stayed under the old name, based in New York until 1960. The Lecuona Cuban Boys continued to tour and finally retired in 1975.