Biography
Formed on 30 September 1939 in Cinefuegos, Cuba, by bass player Orestes Aragón Cantero, the group’s first name was Ritmica Del 39, which then became Ritmica Aragón. After about a year, the name was changed again, this time to Orquesta Aragón. Although Aragón was the prime mover, the band was a collective and soon became a leading charanga band, using a front line of flute and violin and a lively rhythm section of piano and percussion. They were especially adept exponents of danzón, danzonette and mambo. An early member of the band was violinist Rafael Lay who at the age of 20 in 1948, took over leadership from the ailing Aragón. Lay decided to take the band to Havana where they soon capitalized on the growing popularity of the cha-cha. In the early 50s, Orquesta Aragón was signed to RCA - Victor Records and began attracting international attention owing to records and tours of South...
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