Hermanos Izquierdo: Charangueros Por Tradicion

Latin Beat Magazine, Oct, 2002 by Rudy Mangual

(Envidia)

The province of Pinar Del Rio, located west of La Havana, Cuba, is the home of the six Izquierdo brothers (Hermanos Izquierdo)-- tutored from an early age by their father Alberto to be professional musicians. Around 1946, they established their first band, mostly playing danzones, mambo, son montunos, boleros and guarachas. After several years of touring and performing in the neighboring provinces, they reached La Havana in 1953, setting roots in the capital city. But during this time, La Havana was musically dominated by the popular sounds of Orquesta Aragón, Orquesta Ambrica, Melodias del 40, Sonora Matancera, Orquesta Riverside and Casino de la Playa. Rather than fighting for the city venues with these already established musical giants, Los Hermanos Izquierdo decided to try their luck performing for television shows. The Cuban television popular show "El Show Del Mediodía" helped the band's career greatly. Following in the steps of the Aragón orchestra, the group eventually transformed itself into a charanga format, becoming more accessible to the dancing societies of the times.

This new production recalls a half-century of the music performed by Los Hermanos Izquierdo, still possessing within the orchestra six of the founding brothers. Barbaro López "Barbarito", Antonio Morales, and José Lussón Jr. lead the vocals. Favorites include the classic Pérez Prado composition Lupita, Ignacio Piñeiro's Suavecito, and Arsenio Rodríguez's Cerca Al Oido.