Enrique Jorrín

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Enrique Jorrín (Candelaria, Pinar del Rio, December 25, 1926 - Havana, December 12, 1987) was a Cuban composer, violinist and band director. He is famous as the inventor of a style of Cuban dance music called cha-cha-chá.

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[edit] Biography

At an early age, his family moved to the El Cerro neighborhood of Havana, where Jorrín was to live for the rest of his life. At the age of 12, he began to show a particular interest in music and decided to learn the violin. He then pursued musical studies at the Municipal Conservatory of Havana.

He started out as a violinist in the orchestra of Cuba's National Institute of Music, under the direction of González Mántici. In 1941, he became a member of the danzonera Hermanos Contreras. It was here that he became interested in popular music. Next, he joined the renowned charanga Antonio Arcaño y sus Maravillas.

In the early 1950s, while a member of Orquesta América, he created a new genre of dance music which became known as the cha-cha-chá.

He lived in Mexico from 1954 to 1958. In 1964, he toured Africa and Europe with his orchestra- Orquesta de Enrique Jorrín.

In 1974, he organized a new charanga, which included singer Tito Gómez and pianist Rubén González. This orchestra is still active in Havana and includes many songs by Jorrín in their active repertoire.

[edit] Works

Among his numerous compositions are:

(Danzones)

  • Hilda
  • Liceo del Pilar
  • Central Constancia
  • Doña Olga
  • Silver Star


(Cha-cha-chás)

[edit] See also

Cuba Portal

[edit] Discography

  • Orquesta Enrique Jorrín; "Por Siempre Jorrín"; Egrem CD-0644

[edit] References

  • Orovio, Helio. 1981. Diccionario de la Música Cubana. La Habana, Editorial Letras Cubanas. ISBN 959-10-0048-0
  • Sanchez-Coll, Israel. "Enrique Jorrín", Conexión Cubana, Feb. 8, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-01-31.  (in Spanish)
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