Joe Loco - Pensar

Here's a true curiosity: a rare 1954 recording of JOE LOCO, the legendary Latin-jazz pianist, arranger, composer and bandleader on the ORGAN! While the original picture sleeve is titled 'J.L., and his piano and trio,' this release ('Extended Play' (EP) 45 rpm - #28) is highly unusual in that it in fact features Loco playing the organ!

His jazz-tinged composition "Pensar" is listed as a 'ballad mambo' (in contrast with the other three selections, all of which are 'light-classical' tunes described as 'instrumental mambos'). Joining him on this tune, I believe, are Julio Andino (bass) Luis Kant (congas) and Peter Terrace (vibes)

Jose ('Joe Loco') Estevez, Jr, (b. 3/23/1921 in New York City - d. 3/7/1988 ) was one of the most popular artists of the Mambo-era. A childhood friend of Tito Puente (who reputedly gave Estevez his nickname, 'Loco'), his 1951 recording of 'Tenderly' became a million-seller, and made him among the most recognizable figures of the New York mambo movement. His jazz-infused piano stylings made his bands and trios a popular attraction not only at Latin dance venues such as the Palladium Ballroom, but also at jazz spots such as Birdland. Sharp-eyed collectors recognize his given name as the arranger of dozens of recordings by the likes of Pupi Campo, Jose Curbelo, and Julio Andino, who would record 'Estevez's composition 'Concierto For Percussion' (one of the first serious Afro-Cuban jazz suites) in 1949 for the SMC label.

The press photos of Loco shown in this video were taken during rehearsals for the ambitious, but short-lived 'Mambo USA' tour of 1954. Organized to bring Mambo to the 'hinterlands', the first leg of the tour was scheduled for the deep South, following the pattern of successful R&B tours of that day. Unfortunately, the multi (and poly) racial composition of the 'Mambo USA' bands and cast was simply too much for 1950's southern audiences. For example, audiences literally recoiled at the sight of an Afro-Rican man with his hands all over his Italian-American dance partner, as was the case with the Palladium's premier dance team, 'Cuban Pete and Millie'.

After rocky performances in Baltimore and Washington DC (where the Daughters of the American Revolution almost blocked the performance at Constitution Hall), the tour was aborted following the appearance in Richmond, where several Cuban members of the troupe were imprisoned(!) after failing to move off of the sidewalk in deference to on-coming white pedestrians. To hear the original Mambo USA 'theme song' (composed and recorded by Joe Loco), check out one of the earlier postings on my channel!

To hear the music of the Mambo-era contextualized each and every week, tune-in for 'The Latin Flavor Classic Edition', live-streaming every Sunday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. EST on www.WPFWFM.ORG from Washington DC's WPFW 89.3 FM.