Music: Cuban Invasion

The Peanut Vendor (El Manisero), with its hot, catchy rhythm between a jig and a tango, has started an invasion. Don Azpiazu's Havana Orchestra brought the song north last year, played it with other Cuban tunes at RKO's Palace Theatre in Manhattan, afterwards at the smart Central Park Casino. Then Don Azpiazu went back to Cuba to entertain U. S. tourists. He left his tunes behind. Manhattan's Leo Reisman learned to lead them. Reisman's drummer mastered the four complicated beats which Cuban orchestras emphasize with the bongo (a double-headed drum held between the knees and played by the fingers of both...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!