Panchito Riset

Francisco Hilario Riser Rincón (1910–1988), better known as Panchito Riset, was a Cuban singer, highly regarded for his interpretation of boleros in the pre-war period.

He was born in the Atarés district of Havana. He learnt to sing and play the tres guitar as a boy. Initially, he sang with groups such as Septeto Esmeralda, Sexteto Cauto, Septeto Habanero, and the Ismael Díaz Orchestra. In 1933, he went to New York to sing and record with the Antobal Orchestra, replacing the singer Machín. His name was misspelt "Riset" instead of "Riser" on an early record, and thus his musical name was born.

Riset became a prominent figure in the Latin music scene in 1930s NYC, and sang and recorded with numerous musical groups, among them Cuarteto Flores, Cuarteto Caney, Cuarteto Victoria of Rafael Hernández, the Xavier Cugat Orchestra, the Enric Madriguera Orchestra, and Cubanacán. He performed in New York venues like La Conga and Yumurí and at the Cabaret Trovadero in California.

Riset became a US citizen and served as an artist and medical volunteer army in World War II. Afterwards he resumed his singing career, notably at the Versailles cabaret where he performed for 18 years. He also sang at Carnegie Hall.During the 1950's he recorded for the Ansonia Records Label where he recorded some of his very best songs accompanied by the Luis "Lija" Ortiz Conjunto.

He died in 1988 from complications brought on by diabetes. Towards the end of his life, he was blind and his legs amputated. He is buried in Calverton National Cemetery.

Birth and Death Data: Born October 21, 1910 (Havana), Died August 8, 1988

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1928 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: vocalist, leader, director, composer

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

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 49 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BS-018082 10-in. 2/1/1938 Ensueno Panchito and his La Conga Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist  
Victor BS-018083 10-in. 2/1/1938 La comparsa de Camajuani Panchito and his La Conga Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist  
Victor BS-019607 10-in. 2/1/1938 Por corrientes va una conga Panchito and his La Conga Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist  
Victor BS-019608 10-in. 2/1/1938 Pepita Panchito and his La Conga Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, leader  
Victor BS-019609 10-in. 2/1/1938 Negro cuate Panchito and his La Conga Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader, vocalist  
Victor BS-019610 10-in. 2/1/1938 Salambo Panchito and his La Conga Orchestra Jazz/dance band leader  
Victor BS-057720 10-in. 11/19/1940 Uri-uri-ura Panchito and his Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal and instrumental ensemble director, vocalist  
Victor BS-057721 10-in. 11/19/1940 Juan Manno Panchito and his Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal and instrumental ensemble director, vocalist  
Victor BS-057722 10-in. 11/19/1940 Estrellita mia Panchito and his Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal and instrumental ensemble director, vocalist  
Victor BS-057723 10-in. 11/19/1940 La negra del Batey Panchito and his Orchestra Male vocal solo, with vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist, director  
Columbia CO18575 10-in. 1/24/1936 Clarivel Cuarteto Caney ; Santiago "Elio" Osácar ; Panchito Riset Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18576 10-in. 1/24/1936 Cantando : Son Cuarteto Caney ; Panchito Riset ; Santiago "Elio" Osácar Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18577 10-in. 1/24/1936 Boquita chiquita : Son Cuarteto Caney ; Panchito Riset ; Santiago "Elio" Osácar Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18578 10-in. 1/24/1936 Abandonada Cuarteto Caney ; Santiago "Elio" Osácar ; Panchito Riset Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18579 10-in. 1/24/1936 Choza de guano : Son Cuarteto Caney ; Panchito Riset ; Santiago "Elio" Osácar Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18580 10-in. 1/24/1936 Al encontrarte : Son Cuarteto Caney ; Panchito Riset ; Santiago "Elio" Osácar Male vocal duet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18603 10-in. 1/29/1936 Línda minerva : Bolero Cuarteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18604 10-in. 1/29/1936 Esa eres tú : Bolero Cuarteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18608 10-in. 1/29/1936 Linda Minerva Cuarteto Flores ; Panchito Riset Instrumental ensemble, with male vocal solo vocalist  
Columbia CO18626 10-in. 2/4/1936 Vencido Cuarteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18627 10-in. 2/4/1928 No me persigas Cuarteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18628 10-in. 2/4/1936 Cuando vuelvas Cuarteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18629 10-in. 2/4/1936 Tortitas : Pregón Cuarteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
Columbia CO18758 10-in. 3/4/1936 El frutero se va : Son Sexteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble composer, vocalist  
Columbia CO18759 10-in. 3/4/1936 Tú : Son Sexteto Flores Vocal and instrumental ensemble vocalist  
(Results 1-25 of 49 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Riset, Panchito," accessed April 16, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113570.

Riset, Panchito. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113570.

"Riset, Panchito." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 16 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/113570

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