Orquesta Riverside (known as Orquesta Havana Riverside between 1938 and 1941) was a highly successful Cuban big band that was amongst the most popular ensembles of the 1940s and 1950s.Bonacich, Drago. Orquesta Riverside, AllMusic. Founded in 1938, it was originally directed by local musician until 1945. Other directors were Antonio Sosa (1945–47), Pedro Vila (1947–57), Adolfo Guzmán (1957–62), Argelio González and Nelson Arocha.
In 1993, the ensemble disbanded after a long period lacking success. Years later, Raúl Nacianceno Miyares, a former saxophonist in the band, revived the name of the band with young music graduates, playing the same arrangements as 50 years ago.
Members
Enrique González Mantici: director (1938–1942) José Curbelo: piano (1938–1940) Platanito: trumpet Antonio Temprano: trumpet Emilio Temprano: trombone "Periquito" Temprano: clarinet, alto saxophone José Nacianceno: clarinet, alto saxophone Asdrúbal Pardo: tenor saxophone Pedro Pardo: tenor saxophone Antonio Sosa: guitar, tumbadora, director (1938–1947) Julio Belzaqui: double bass Manolo Castro: vocals (1938) Pedro Vargas: vocals (1939) Mario Suárez: vocals (1939) Guillermo Portabales: vocals (1939) René Cabel: vocals (1939–40) Chucho Martínez Gil: vocals (1939) Miguelito Valdés: vocals (1940) Anselmo Sacasas: piano (1940) Juan Arvizu: vocals (1940) Lupita Palomera: vocals (1940) Juan Bruno Tarraza: piano Tito Álvarez: vocals Alberto Ruiz: vocals (until 1942) Tito Gómez: lead vocals (1942–1975) Orlando Vallejo: vocals Onelio Pérez: vocals René Ravelo: saxophone Gregorio Brenes: saxophone José Simpson: saxophone Raúl Nacianceno Mijares: saxophone Miguel Antuña Benítez: saxophone Roberto Arocha Morales: saxophone Marcos Urbay: trumpet Enrique Osorio: trumpet José A. Martínez Daussac: trumpet Mario del Monte Cossío: trumpet Armando Galán Alfonso: trumpet Roberto Morell del Campo: trombone Edgar Díaz: drums Sergio L. Núñez Molina: drums Rolando Piloto Álvarez: drums Orlando "Cachaíto" López: double bass Roberto Martínez Capote: double bass Baudilio Carbonell: bongo Peruchín: piano, arranger (1946–1959) Ángel Fernández de la Osa: congas Carlos Montero Bello: guitar Pedro Vila: saxophone, director (1947–1957) Leonardo Timor: trumpet (since 1956) Generoso Jiménez: trombone Adolfo Guzmán: piano, director (1957–1962) Paquito Hechavarría: piano Rubén González: piano Argelio González: director Nelson Arocha Enseñat: piano, director, arranger Orlando Montero Maldonado:vocals Manuel "Guajiro" Mirabal: trumpet (1960s) Joseíto González: piano (1980s)Dalmace, Patrick. "Joseíto González", Montuno Cubano. Raúl Nacianceno: saxophone, director
References