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Xavier Cugat Recordings in Old Time Radio

A violin prodigy as a child, Xavier Cugat is credited with popularizing Latin American rhythms in the US big band scene.

Xavier Cugat

32 old time radio show recordings
(total playtime 12 hours, 41 min)
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1 MP3 CD
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11 Audio CDs


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"Guard Sessions with Xavier Cugat"



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Xavier Cugat
(1900 – 1990)

Xavier Cugat
Just hours after the Twentieth century began, Francisco de Asis Javier Cugat Mingall de Bru y Deulofeo was born in Girona on Spain's Mediterranean coast. Later known to the world as Xavier Cugat, the boy who was born just two years after the Spanish Xavier Cugatwould move to Havana with his family when he was four years old. Little Cugie was a violin prodigy. With classical training, he played with the Orchestra of the Teatro Nacional, but in 1915 the family moved again, this time to New York City, the apparent center of the world.

Sources differ, but it seems as though the move north was inspired by opera singer Enrico Caruso, and the young violin player appeared onstage with Caruso several times, often soloing. In 1918, Cugat moved to California where he met his first wife, pianist Rita Montaner. The couple performed as a classical duo throughout Europe after the First World War before divorcing in 1920.

Returning to California, Cugat abandoned classical music, and began play popular tunes as a tango craze developed. After working with other bands for a while, including those of Vincent Lopez and Phil Harris, he formed his own outfit to work in sound movies. Cugat is credited with popularizing Latin American rhythms in the US big band scene.

In 1931, Cugat took his band to New York for the opening of the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where he eventually replaced Jack Denny as the resident band. He never seemed to regret abandoning classical music, stating "I would rather play Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve."

Xavier CugatCugat often joked that he simply latched onto whatever craze came along, first the tango, then the rhumba, the conga, the mambo and lounge music. However, he is generally credited with introducing Latin rhythms to American popular music, as well as helping to pave the way for artists like Desi Arnaz and Perez Prado. (Itis rumored that there is an extant recording of a very young Frank Sinatra singing with the Xavier Cugat orchestra, with Frank singing in Catalan, Cugat's mother tongue.)

Onstage, Cugat characteristically carried a chihuahua dog while conducting the band. Off stage, he was a constant business promoter. Although he did not smoke, he was often seen in publicity photos with a chihuahua and a pipe. He lent his name to a line of women's tobacco pipes as well as cigarette lighters and shirts. He started a chihuahua breeding operation, and the dogs came with certification as being genuine Cugat dogs.

He was also a man who loved woman, having married five of them. After Montaner, there was Carmen Castillo, Lorraine Allen, Abbe Lane, and "Latin Bombshell" Charo. People magazine published a story in July, 1980, about Cugat's May-December romance with 24 year old dancer Yvonne Martinez Cugat was 80 at the time.

Two Stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame honor Xavier Cugat, one at 1500 St Vine for his contributions to Television and one at 1601 Vine St for recording. There is a replica of the Star for Recording in Giron, Spain, the city of his birth.

See also:  Tales of Mexico, Fernando LamasLupe Velez, Carmen Miranda, and Tito Guizar.

Text on OTRCAT.com ©2001-2024 OTRCAT INC All Rights Reserved. Reproduction is prohibited.

These classic recordings are available in the following formats:

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    Love listening to the smooth sounds of Xavier Cugat, good variety of tunes, and I just love listening to them.

    Denis Verified Purchase

    Great music!

    Edwin Verified Purchase

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  • MP3 CDs are delivered by mail. These archival quality MP3 CDs are playable in your computer and many MP3 player devices.



    32 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00. Total playtime 12 hours, 41 min
    32 recordings on 1 MP3 CD for just $5.00
    total playtime 12 hours, 41 min
    Add MP3 CD Collection to Cart

    1. 32 shows - total playtime 12 hours 41 minutes
    2. Bill Stern 460412 336 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    3. Command Perf 430814 079 Rosalind Russell, Judy Canova.mp3
    4. Guard Session 069 Abbe Lane Xavier Cugat.mp3
    5. Hildegardes Radio Room 450515 Patsy Kelly Clifton Webb.mp3
    6. Joan Davis Show 480327 76 Joan Sells Advertising.mp3
    7. Nash Kelvinator 451205 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    8. ONS 450218 0604 Xavier Cugat The Trocadero Hollywood CA.mp3
    9. Radio Hall Of Fame 431219 03 Pt.1,3 Walter Okeefe.mp3
    10. Three Hundred Party 460427.mp3
    11. Treasury Star Parade 42 082 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    12. VP 460403 Afrs 828 Xavier Cugat,La Ola Marina.mp3
    13. VP 460522 Afrs 849 Xavier Cugat,Continental.mp3
    14. VP 460529 Afrs 852 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba.mp3
    15. VP 460717 Afrs 873 Xavier Cugat,Linda Mujer.mp3
    16. VP 460821 Afrs 888 Xavier Cugat,Continental.mp3
    17. VP 470521 Afrs 1016 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba.mp3
    18. VP 470604 Afrs 1046 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba.mp3
    19. VP 470606 Afrs 1049 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    20. VP 470625 Afrs 1061 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    21. VP 470803 Afrs 1076 Xavier Cugat,Tico Tico.mp3
    22. VP 470810 Afrs 1091 Xavier Cugat,Jack,Jack,Jack.mp3
    23. VP 470817 Afrs 1094 Xavier Cugat,Unknown Title.mp3
    24. VP 471102 Afrs 1109 Xavier Cugat,Latin American Serenade.mp3
    25. Xavier Cugat 15 Peanut Vendor.mp3
    26. Xavier Cugat 22 Mexican Hat Dance.mp3
    27. Xavier Cugat 44.mp3
    28. Xavier Cugat 450126 Tico Tico.mp3
    29. Xavier Cugat Show 440000 042 Afrs.mp3
    30. Your Dubonnet Date 431002 005 La Cucaracha.mp3
    31. Your Dubonnet Date 431200 017 Murena.mp3
    32. Your Dubonnet Date 440000 021 Brazil.mp3
    33. Your Dubonnet Date 440100 022 Mexican Hat Dance.mp3
  • MP3 downloads are available instantly after purchase!



    32 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00. Total playtime 12 hours, 41 min
    32 recordings on 1 MP3 Collection Download for just $5.00
    total playtime 12 hours, 41 min
    Add Instant Download Collection to Cart

    1. 32 shows - total playtime 12 hours 41 minutes
    2. Bill Stern 460412 336 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    3. Command Perf 430814 079 Rosalind Russell, Judy Canova.mp3
    4. Guard Session 069 Abbe Lane Xavier Cugat.mp3
    5. Hildegardes Radio Room 450515 Patsy Kelly Clifton Webb.mp3
    6. Joan Davis Show 480327 76 Joan Sells Advertising.mp3
    7. Nash Kelvinator 451205 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    8. ONS 450218 0604 Xavier Cugat The Trocadero Hollywood CA.mp3
    9. Radio Hall Of Fame 431219 03 Pt.1,3 Walter Okeefe.mp3
    10. Three Hundred Party 460427.mp3
    11. Treasury Star Parade 42 082 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    12. VP 460403 Afrs 828 Xavier Cugat,La Ola Marina.mp3
    13. VP 460522 Afrs 849 Xavier Cugat,Continental.mp3
    14. VP 460529 Afrs 852 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba.mp3
    15. VP 460717 Afrs 873 Xavier Cugat,Linda Mujer.mp3
    16. VP 460821 Afrs 888 Xavier Cugat,Continental.mp3
    17. VP 470521 Afrs 1016 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba.mp3
    18. VP 470604 Afrs 1046 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba.mp3
    19. VP 470606 Afrs 1049 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    20. VP 470625 Afrs 1061 Xavier Cugat.mp3
    21. VP 470803 Afrs 1076 Xavier Cugat,Tico Tico.mp3
    22. VP 470810 Afrs 1091 Xavier Cugat,Jack,Jack,Jack.mp3
    23. VP 470817 Afrs 1094 Xavier Cugat,Unknown Title.mp3
    24. VP 471102 Afrs 1109 Xavier Cugat,Latin American Serenade.mp3
    25. Xavier Cugat 15 Peanut Vendor.mp3
    26. Xavier Cugat 22 Mexican Hat Dance.mp3
    27. Xavier Cugat 44.mp3
    28. Xavier Cugat 450126 Tico Tico.mp3
    29. Xavier Cugat Show 440000 042 Afrs.mp3
    30. Your Dubonnet Date 431002 005 La Cucaracha.mp3
    31. Your Dubonnet Date 431200 017 Murena.mp3
    32. Your Dubonnet Date 440000 021 Brazil.mp3
    33. Your Dubonnet Date 440100 022 Mexican Hat Dance.mp3
  • Standard Audio CDs are delivered by mail on archival quality media with up to 60 minutes on each CD and play in all CD players



    32 recordings on 11 Audio CDs. Total playtime 10 hours, 40 min
    32 recordings on 11 Audio CDs
    total playtime 10 hours, 40 min

    Xavier Cugat Disc A001

    1. Guard Session 069 Abbe Lane Xavier Cugat
    2. Treasury Star Parade 42 082 Xavier Cugat
    3. Xavier Cugat 15 Peanut Vendor

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A002

    1. Xavier Cugat 22 Mexican Hat Dance
    2. Xavier Cugat 44
    3. Command Perf 430814 079 Rosalind Russell, Judy Canova

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A003

    1. Your Dubonnet Date 431002 005 La Cucaracha
    2. Your Dubonnet Date 431200 017 Murena

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A004

    1. Radio Hall Of Fame 431219 03 Pt.1,3 Walter Okeefe
    2. Xavier Cugat Show 440000 042 Afrs

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A005

    1. Your Dubonnet Date 440000 021 Brazil
    2. Your Dubonnet Date 440100 022 Mexican Hat Dance

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A006

    1. Xavier Cugat 450126 Tico Tico
    2. ONS 450218 0604 Xavier Cugat The Trocadero Hollywood CA

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A007

    1. Hildegardes Radio Room 450515 Patsy Kelly Clifton Webb
    2. Nash Kelvinator 451205 Xavier Cugat

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A008

    1. VP 460403 Afrs 828 Xavier Cugat,La Ola Marina
    2. Bill Stern 460412 336 Xavier Cugat
    3. VP 460522 Afrs 849 Xavier Cugat,Continental
    4. VP 460529 Afrs 852 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A009

    1. VP 460717 Afrs 873 Xavier Cugat,Linda Mujer
    2. VP 460821 Afrs 888 Xavier Cugat,Continental
    3. VP 470521 Afrs 1016 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba
    4. VP 470604 Afrs 1046 Xavier Cugat,Miami Beach Rhumba

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A010

    1. VP 470606 Afrs 1049 Xavier Cugat
    2. VP 470625 Afrs 1061 Xavier Cugat
    3. VP 470803 Afrs 1076 Xavier Cugat,Tico Tico
    4. VP 470810 Afrs 1091 Xavier Cugat,Jack,Jack,Jack

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00
    Xavier Cugat Disc A011

    1. VP 470817 Afrs 1094 Xavier Cugat,Unknown Title
    2. VP 471102 Afrs 1109 Xavier Cugat,Latin American Serenade
    3. Joan Davis Show 480327 76 Joan Sells Advertising

    Add Audio CD to Cart - $5.00

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