Known as Juan Garcia Esquivel, Juan García Esquivel, Esquivel and Esquivel!… Read Full Bio ↴Known as Juan Garcia Esquivel, Juan García Esquivel, Esquivel and Esquivel!
Juan García Esquivel (January 20, 1918 – January 3, 2002) was a Mexican band leader, pianist, and composer for television and films. He is recognized today as one of the foremost exponents of a sophisticated style of largely instrumental music that combines elements of lounge music and jazz with Latin flavors. Esquivel is sometimes called "The King of Space Age Pop" and "The Busby Berkeley of Cocktail Music." Esquivel is considered one of the foremost exponents of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop that became known (in retrospect) as "Space Age Bachelor Pad Music".
He was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, and his family moved to Mexico City in 1928 where he studied at the UNAM.
Esquivel is considered the king of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop known today as lounge music. Esquivel's musical style was highly idiosyncratic, and although elements sound like his contemporaries, many stylistic traits distinguished his music and made it instantly recognizable, including exotic percussion, wordless vocals, virtuoso piano runs, and exaggerated dynamic shifts. He used many jazz-like elements; however, other than his piano solos, there is no improvisation, and the works are tightly, meticulously arranged by Esquivel himself, who considered himself a perfectionist as a composer, performer, and recording artist.
His orchestration tended toward the very lush, employing novel instrumental combinations, such as Chinese bells, mariachi bands, whistling, and numerous percussion instruments, blended with orchestra, mixed chorus, and his own heavily-ornamented piano style. The chorus was often called upon to sing only nonsense syllables, most famously "zu-zu" and "pow!" A survey of Esquivel's recordings reveals a fondness for glissandi, sometimes on a half-valved trumpet, sometimes on a kettle drum, but most frequently on pitched percussion instruments and slide guitars.
Esquivel's use of stereo recording was legendary, occasionally featuring two bands recording simultaneously in separate studios, such as on his album Latin-Esque (1962). The song "Mucha Muchacha" makes particularly mind-bending use of the separation, with the chorus and brass rapidly alternating stereo sides.
He arranged many traditional Mexican songs like "Bésame Mucho", "La Bamba", "El Manisero" (Cuban/Mexican) and "La Bikina"; covered Brazilian songs like "Aquarela do Brasil" (also known simply as "Brazil") by Ary Barroso, "Surfboard" and "Agua de Beber" by Tom Jobim, and composed spicy lounge-like novelties such as "Mini Skirt", "Yeyo", "Latin-Esque", "Mucha Muchacha" and "Whatchamacallit". He was commissioned to compose the music of a Mexican children's TV show Odisea Burbujas.
His concerts also featured elaborate light shows years before effects like that became popular in live music. He performed in Las Vegas on several occasions, often as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.
Several compilations of Esquivel's music were issued starting with Space Age Bachelor Pad Music in 1994. The apparent success of these releases led to reissues of several of Esquivel's albums. The first reissues were compiled by Irwin Chusid, who also produced the first CD reissues of Raymond Scott and The Langley Schools Music Project.
The last recording on which Esquivel worked was Merry Christmas from the Space-Age Bachelor Pad in 1996, for which he did a voiceover on a track by the band Combustible Edison. This album also included several obscure tracks from his past sessions. The last CD released during his lifetime, See It In Sound, was actually recorded in 1960, but was not released at the time because the record company believed it would not be commercially successful. When finally released in 1998, it exhibited very unusual and introspective stylings absent from his other works, including a version of "Brazil", played as a musical soundscape of a man bar-hopping where the band plays different renditions of "Brazil" at each bar.
Esquivel also worked as a composer for Revue Productions/Universal Television; where he scored the TV western series "The Tall Man," and wrote the familiar Revue/Universal TV logo fanfare.
Tribute performances (current)
Jan 14, 2011 Boston - Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - CD Release for "The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel"
Mar 18, 2011 New York City - Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - CD Release for "The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel" (first-ever live performance of Esquivel's big band studio orchestra music in NYC)
Influences
Kronos Quartet recorded a string quartet arrangement of Esquivel's song "Mini Skirt" for their album Nuevo.
Juan García Esquivel (January 20, 1918 – January 3, 2002) was a Mexican band leader, pianist, and composer for television and films. He is recognized today as one of the foremost exponents of a sophisticated style of largely instrumental music that combines elements of lounge music and jazz with Latin flavors. Esquivel is sometimes called "The King of Space Age Pop" and "The Busby Berkeley of Cocktail Music." Esquivel is considered one of the foremost exponents of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop that became known (in retrospect) as "Space Age Bachelor Pad Music".
He was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, and his family moved to Mexico City in 1928 where he studied at the UNAM.
Esquivel is considered the king of a style of late 1950s-early 1960s quirky instrumental pop known today as lounge music. Esquivel's musical style was highly idiosyncratic, and although elements sound like his contemporaries, many stylistic traits distinguished his music and made it instantly recognizable, including exotic percussion, wordless vocals, virtuoso piano runs, and exaggerated dynamic shifts. He used many jazz-like elements; however, other than his piano solos, there is no improvisation, and the works are tightly, meticulously arranged by Esquivel himself, who considered himself a perfectionist as a composer, performer, and recording artist.
His orchestration tended toward the very lush, employing novel instrumental combinations, such as Chinese bells, mariachi bands, whistling, and numerous percussion instruments, blended with orchestra, mixed chorus, and his own heavily-ornamented piano style. The chorus was often called upon to sing only nonsense syllables, most famously "zu-zu" and "pow!" A survey of Esquivel's recordings reveals a fondness for glissandi, sometimes on a half-valved trumpet, sometimes on a kettle drum, but most frequently on pitched percussion instruments and slide guitars.
Esquivel's use of stereo recording was legendary, occasionally featuring two bands recording simultaneously in separate studios, such as on his album Latin-Esque (1962). The song "Mucha Muchacha" makes particularly mind-bending use of the separation, with the chorus and brass rapidly alternating stereo sides.
He arranged many traditional Mexican songs like "Bésame Mucho", "La Bamba", "El Manisero" (Cuban/Mexican) and "La Bikina"; covered Brazilian songs like "Aquarela do Brasil" (also known simply as "Brazil") by Ary Barroso, "Surfboard" and "Agua de Beber" by Tom Jobim, and composed spicy lounge-like novelties such as "Mini Skirt", "Yeyo", "Latin-Esque", "Mucha Muchacha" and "Whatchamacallit". He was commissioned to compose the music of a Mexican children's TV show Odisea Burbujas.
His concerts also featured elaborate light shows years before effects like that became popular in live music. He performed in Las Vegas on several occasions, often as the opening act for Frank Sinatra.
Several compilations of Esquivel's music were issued starting with Space Age Bachelor Pad Music in 1994. The apparent success of these releases led to reissues of several of Esquivel's albums. The first reissues were compiled by Irwin Chusid, who also produced the first CD reissues of Raymond Scott and The Langley Schools Music Project.
The last recording on which Esquivel worked was Merry Christmas from the Space-Age Bachelor Pad in 1996, for which he did a voiceover on a track by the band Combustible Edison. This album also included several obscure tracks from his past sessions. The last CD released during his lifetime, See It In Sound, was actually recorded in 1960, but was not released at the time because the record company believed it would not be commercially successful. When finally released in 1998, it exhibited very unusual and introspective stylings absent from his other works, including a version of "Brazil", played as a musical soundscape of a man bar-hopping where the band plays different renditions of "Brazil" at each bar.
Esquivel also worked as a composer for Revue Productions/Universal Television; where he scored the TV western series "The Tall Man," and wrote the familiar Revue/Universal TV logo fanfare.
Tribute performances (current)
Jan 14, 2011 Boston - Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - CD Release for "The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel"
Mar 18, 2011 New York City - Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica - CD Release for "The Unforgettable Sounds of Esquivel" (first-ever live performance of Esquivel's big band studio orchestra music in NYC)
Influences
Kronos Quartet recorded a string quartet arrangement of Esquivel's song "Mini Skirt" for their album Nuevo.
Cherokee
Esquivel Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'Cherokee' by these artists:
& - C.Mingus - M.Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Alyn Ainsworth & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Animal Collective Late for its arrival My mind's begun to find Early peculiari…
Ashkidd Yeah Yeah yeah yeah yeah J'vois les lumières du port et du…
Band Oyster 너는 내게로 와 모든 걸 주고 그렇게 홀연히 떠나갔네 꿈결만 같던 한철의…
Benny Carter Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Benny Goodman and His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Billy May When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound…
Bobby Byrne And His Orchestra When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound…
Brown & Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Buck Clayton And His All-Stars All throughout history Music's been there to see Searching …
Bud Powell Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Bud Powell Charles Mingus Charlie Parker Dizzy Gillespie & Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
bud powell charlie mingus max roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Bud Powell/Charles Mingus/Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie/Max Roach/The Quintet Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Buddy Rich Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Cat Power Never knew love like this The wind, moon, the earth, the…
Cat Power(캣 파워) Never knew love like this The wind, moon, the earth, the…
Caterina Valente Sweet Indian lover Since first I met you I can't forget you …
Charles Mingus Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Charles Mingus Charlie Parker Dizzy Gillespie Bud Powell & Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Charles Pierce And His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Charlie Parker Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Charlie Parker Dizzy Gillespie Bud Powell Charles Mingus and Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Cincotti Peter Brave Indian warrior Since first I met you I can't forget yo…
Clark Monroe's Band Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Clebanoff & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Clifford Brown Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Clifford Brown Sextet Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Clifford Brown;Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Clifford Brown|Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Coleman Hawkins And Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Dakota Staton Brave indian warrior Since first I met you I can't forget yo…
Dee Dee Bridgewater Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Dee Dee Bridgewater Ralph Moore & Ray Brown Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Dianne Reeves Sweet Indian warrior Since first I met you I can't forget yo…
Dizzy Gillespie Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Dizzy Gillespie Charlie Parker Bud Powell Charles Mingus & Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Dizzy Gillespie with Joe Marsala and His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Dizzy Gillespie/Charlie Parker/Bud Powell/Charles Mingus/Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Duke Ellington & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
El El Pa sumbarla en la pinche cherroke Alc mi homie…
Ella Fitzgerald & Joe Pass Easy Take love easy, easy easy Never let your feelings sho…
Esquivel & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
estereox Van los buitres por el monte Esperan la oportunidad Gatiller…
Europe They lived in peace, not long ago A mighty Indian tribe But…
Frank Cordell and His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Hank Williams Jr. Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along He does an…
Harold Land Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Harry Arnold Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Harry Arnold & Quincy Jones Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Ill Repute They took the whole Cherokee nation Put us on this reservati…
J. Tempest They lived in peace, not long ago A mighty Indian tribe Bu…
Jackie Gleason Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Jay McShann & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
JIMMY DORSEY AND HIS ORCH. When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound…
Joanie Sommers Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Joe Marsala Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
John Moreland I guess I got a taste for poison I've given up…
Johnny Douglas & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Johnny Smith Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Kamasi Washington Brave Indian Warrior, since first I met you I can't forget…
Kansas City Band Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Les Elgart & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Magick Mountain If you show me Then I can learn If you hate it Just…
Maurice Winnick & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Max Roach Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Nat King Cole Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ondřej Pivec N.Y.Trio Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
pass joe Easy Take love easy, easy easy Never let your feelings sho…
Peter Cincotti Brave Indian warrior Since first I met you I can't forget …
Peter Herbolzheimer Sweet Indian warrior Since first I met you I can't forget yo…
Quincy Jones Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Quincy Jones & Arnold Harry Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Quincy Jones & Harry Arnold Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Quincy Jones Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Quintet the Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ralph and Buddy Bonds Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ralph Moore Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ray Brown Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ray Brown Dee Dee Bridgewater and Ralph Moore Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ray Brown Trio Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ray Brown Trio & Dee Dee Bridgewater Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Ray Noble & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Rita & Priscilla Coolidge & Laura Satterfield Wi-na-de-ya-ho, wi-na-de-ya-ho Wi-na-de-ya, wi-na-de-ya Ho-h…
Sandy - agentedacerto.com.br Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along He does an…
Sarah Vaughan Brave Indian warrior, Since first I met you I can't forget…
Sarah Vaughan & Ernie Wilkins' Orchestra Brave Indian warrior since first I met you I can't forget…
Sean Christopher He was driven by his greed Swept across our fields and…
Smith Johnny Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Stan Kenton Band Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Stephen Stills In my short time I've loved, I've shined And now I find All…
Super-Trio Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Syd Lawrence & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Ted Heath Oh baby, I think you are lost in the seventies. Oh…
Ted Heath & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Teebee & K Sweet little Cherokee We'll meet by the linden tree There, b…
Tex Beneke & His Orchestra Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't forget…
Tex Beneke And His Orchestra When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound…
The Clifford Brown & Max Roach Quintet Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
The Dizzy Gillespie Big 7 Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
THE EUROPE They lived in peace, not long ago A mighty Indian tribe Bu…
The Joe Marsala Sextet Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra feat. Les Brünettes Sweet Indian maiden Since first I met you I can't forget you…
The Quintet Sweet Indian maiden, since first I met you, I can't…
Tommy Dorsey When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound…
Tommy Dorsey and Jimmy Dorsey When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound…
Trinix You’ll see the difference now If we change it, you’ll know…
Various Artists 너는 내게로 와 모든 걸 주고 그렇게 홀연히 떠나갔네 꿈결만 같던 한철의…
Vic Damone Brave Indian warrior, Since first I met you I can't forget y…
Walela Sweet eyes of my father In my own eyes I…
White Lion You were wild and you were free You would search your…
Willie And The Hand Jive One night when the moon was bright on the moonlit…
Wynton Marsalis Brave Indian warrior Since first I met you I can't forget …
Yavuz Çetin Bak yine geliyor ayin sonu Yok mu yardim fonu Kimisi bes k…
Europe They lived in peace, not long ago A mighty Indian tribe But…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Esquivel:
05 Who's Sorry Now Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's heart is aching for …
05 Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's heart is aching fo…
09 MAGIC IS THE MOONLIGHT Magic is the moonlight On this lover's dream night As I se…
All Of Me What would I do without your smart mouth Drawing me in,…
Amor Amemos cada segundo juntos Nunca sabemos cuando parar Un te …
Autumn Leaves The falling leaves drift by the window The autumn leaves of…
Begin the Beguine When they begin the beguine It brings back the sound of…
Bye Bye Blues I got a big surprise when I saw you smile I…
Canadian Sunset Once I was alone So lonely and then You came, out of…
Carioca geudongan eotteoke jinaenni mureobojin motaetji geujeo eosae…
Dancing in the Dark Dancing in the dark Dancing in the dark Dancing in the dark…
I Get a Kick out of You I get no kick from champagne, Mere alcohol, Doesn't thrill…
It Had to Be You It had to be you, it had to be you. I…
Johnson Rag Johnson Flood Mississippi Mud Black Bottom I got 'em Lindy …
Lullaby of Birdland Lullaby of Birdland, that's what I Always hear when you…
Magic Is the Moonlight Magic is the moonlight On this lover's dream night As I see…
Misirlou Desert shadows creep across purple sands. Natives kneel in p…
Mucha Muchacha mucha muchacha hello muchacha oh, hello muchacha no no, me…
My Reverie Our love is a dream, but in my reverie I can…
Rhapsody In Blue (Story about a girl) (Story about the world) Suddenly …
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town I just came back from a lovely trip along the…
Speak Low Speak low when you speak, love, Our summer day withers away …
Street of Dreams Midnight, you heavy laden, it's midnight Come on and trade i…
That Old Black Magic Old black magic has me in its spell Old black magic…
The 3rd Man Theme When a zither starts to play You'll remember yesterday In it…
The Christmas Song Chestnuts roasting on an open fire Jack Frost nipping at you…
The Third Man Theme When a zither starts to play You'll remember yesterday In it…
Time on My Hands When the day fades away into twilight The moon is my…
Whatchamacallit Do, do-do Do, do-do Do, do-do Do, do-do Do, do-do Do, do-do …
Who's Sorry Now Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's heart is aching for …
Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's heart is aching fo…
Who's Sorry Now Who's Sorry Now? Who's Sorry Now? Who's heart is aching for …
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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michael corben
I feel blessed to have seen Esquivel and his fabulous ensemble many time at the Stardust Hotel. All you had to do in those days was walk in and order a drink. Sit back and hear and see magic,
handicappedhoods
This is one of the strangest, but one of the most enjoyable renditions of Cherokee I've ever heard.
murzek11
Esquivel was a musical genius!
Barry I. Grauman
Originally released in April 1961; Ernie Kovacs used this track to accompany his "experimental" sketch involving "living" kitchen utensils on one of his TV specials, several months later [that's also posted].
alex rojas
fantastica musica que evoca lindos tiempos de buen gusto y armonia
Robert Orick
Now THAT's what I call "Living Stereo!"
Jaron Leon
La musique d'Esquivel est si jolie!
Teniente Danielsan
Genius Esquivel forever Esquivel !
Anthony Casanova
Genio!!!!!
flyingfishsurf
POW (WOW!)