HMR Project: History of Music & Modern Recording

Miguelito Valdés

Latin Music/Recording: The Caribbean: Miguelito Valdez

Miguelito Valdés

Born 0n 6 September 1912 in Havana, Cuba, Latin percussionist and crooner, Miguelito Valdés (aka Mr. Babalú), was a charanga musician born to a Spanish father and Mexican mother. A successful amateur boxer in his youth, Valdés began his professional career as a teenager with the Sexteto Habanero Infantil, moving onward to various Cuban ensembles and orchestras until joining the Orquesta Casino de la Playa in 1937 with which he is thought to have first recorded. Among those first tracks that year were 'Bruca Manigua', 'Ven Acá Tomas' and 'Fuñfuñando'. Valdes first released the title by which he became known, 'Babalú' [Wikipedia], in 1939 on Victor 82634. 'Babalú' refers to Babalú Ayé, an orisha (manifestation of God) in the Yoruba religion practiced in Nigeria and the Santeria religion followed in Cuba [lyrics].

'Bruca Manigua' Miguelito Valdés w the Orquesta Casino de la Playa

17 June 1937 in Havana Matrix BS-010933 Victor 82114

Composition: Arsenio Rodríguez

'Los Venecianos' Miguelito Valdés w the Orquesta Casino de la Playa

'The Venetians'

19 Sep 1938 in Havana Matrix B-027835 Victor 82501

Composition: Valdés

'Se Va el Caramelero' Miguelito Valdés w the Orquesta Casino de la Playa

'The Candy Man Is Leaving'

19 Sep 1938 in Havana Matrix B-027837 Victor 82514

Composition: Arsenio Rodríguez

Valdés emigrated to New York City in 1940, where he played with a number of leading Latin bands during the forties. In 1942 he and Machito with the latter's Afro-Cubans recorded what would get issued in 1992 as 'Cuban Rhythms'.

'Babalu' Miguelito Valdés w Xavier Cugat and His Waldorf-Astoria Orchestra

14 March 1941 in NYC Matrix CO 29946 Columbia 36068

Composition: Margarita Lecuona

'Zarabanda' Miguelito Valdés w Machito and His Afro-Cubans

27 July 1942 in NYC Matrix 71201 Decca 18517

See the compilations:

'Cuban Nights' on Decca DL 8716 / 1958

'Cuban Rhythms' on Tumbao Cuban Classics TCD-008 / 1992

Composition: Luciano "Chano" Pozo

'Rica Pulpa' ('Rich Pulp') Miguelito Valdés w Machito and His Afro-Cubans

27 July 1942 in NYC Matrix 71203 Decca 18517

See the compilations:

'Cuban Nights' on Decca DL 8716 / 1958

'Cuban Rhythms' on Tumbao Cuban Classics TCD-008 / 1992

Composition: Eliseo Grenet

'Nague' Miguelito Valdés w Machito and His Afro-Cubans

27 July 1942 in NYC Matrix 71206 Decca 18518

See the compilation:

'Cuban Rhythms' on Tumbao Cuban Classics TCD-008 / 1992

Composition: Luciano "Chano" Pozo

'Chiu, Chiu' Miguelito Valdés w Lina Romay

From the film 'You Were Never Lovelier' released in the U.S. 19 Nov 1942

Film directed by William A. Seiter

Composition: Nicanor Molinare

IMDb Wikipedia

Tom Lord's sessionography finds Valdes in Hollywood in October 1945 backing the Johnny Otis Orchestra as the Jubilee All Stars with his Cuban rhythm section, that for the AFRS Jubilee broadcast #152. Titles were released in 1986 on 'Start to Jump Because It's Jubilee' (Swingtime ST1009). Valdes was among the earliest guests on the 'Ed Sullivan Show' (1948-71) when that aired in February of 1949. He hosted his own television show from the mid-sixties into the seventies.