Pablo Valenzuela

José Pablo Valenzuela García (2 March 1859 – 25 December 1926) was a leading Cuban cornetist, composer and bandleader.

García was born in San Antonio de los Baños. After taking his first lessons in music under his father Lucas, he moved to Havana. There he first joined the orchestra of Manuel Espinosa, before joining La Flor de Cuba, the leading band of the day. This had come under the direction of his brother Raimundo after the death of its founder, and at some stage the name was changed to Orquesta Valenzuela.

Raimundo died in his fifties in 1905, after which the band was under Pablo's direction. Now it was possible for Cuban bands to record their music, and the Orquesta Valenzuela was one of the earliest to take advantage of the opportunity: they recorded about 120 numbers. In 1906 there were 40 recordings on Edison cylinders; in 1909 23 numbers for Columbia Records, and 56 numbers with Victor Records. The last recordings were in 1919; there were about 120 numbers in all, most of which were danzones. Of his compositions, some became lasting hits: Coco seco, El congo libre, La frita, La niña, La Patti negra, María Teresa, El garrotín.

The band dispersed after Pablo died, aged 67, in Havana in 1926.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 2, 1859, Died December 25, 1926

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1909 - 1919

Roles Represented in DAHR: leader, cornet, guitar, composer, arranger

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-88 of 88 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 37771 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 El bolero : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37774 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 Petit club Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37776 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 Me voy para Melilla : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37778 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 Perjura : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37779 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 El enterrador Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble composer  
Columbia 37782 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 Agapito ven, ven Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble composer, leader  
Columbia 37783 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 Amalia Molina Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37784 10-in. approximately 1909 or 1910 La venganza de Toribio : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37911 10-in. approximately 1910-1913 El Turco : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37925 10-in. approximately 1910-1913 Se va Covadonga : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 37929 10-in. approximately 1910-1913 Enagueriero boncó : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 38000 12-in. between 1910 and 1917 La viuda alegre : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader  
Columbia 38001 12-in. between 1910 and 1917 El garrotín : Danzón Orquesta de Pablo Valenzuela Instrumental ensemble leader, composer  
(Results 76-88 of 88 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Valenzuela, Pablo," accessed April 30, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100873.

Valenzuela, Pablo. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 30, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100873.

"Valenzuela, Pablo." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 30 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/100873

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