A leading figure of Latin music, Xavier Cugat spread the rhumba, mambo, and cha-cha-cha all over the world, becoming one of the greatest stars of the genre. While born in Spain, bandleader Xavier Cugat spent his formative years in Havana, Cuba, where he became a brilliant violinist and arranger. Cugat was a leading figure in the spread of Latin music, and after moving to New York City he became the leader of the resident orchestra at the Waldorf-Astoria before and after World War II, where he gained perennial fame. He would become known as the "Rumba King". Compiled here are 21 of his greatest hits on vinyl, 28 on the CD, recorded during his finest years.
A leading figure of Latin music, Xavier Cugat spread the rhumba, mambo, and cha-cha-cha all over the world, becoming one of the greatest stars of the genre. While born in Spain, bandleader Xavier Cugat spent his formative years in Havana, Cuba, where he became a brilliant violinist and arranger. Cugat was a leading figure in the spread of Latin music, and after moving to New York City he became the leader of the resident orchestra at the Waldorf-Astoria before and after World War II, where he gained perennial fame. He would become known as the "Rumba King". Compiled here are 21 of his greatest hits on vinyl, 28 on the CD, recorded during his finest years.