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.
Johnson Rag
Esquivel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mud Black Bottom I got 'em
Lindy Hop Chop chop chop
Ch-ch-ch Charlotte Russe Turn on the juice
Hep Hep there goes the Johnson Rag
Hoy Hoy there goes the latest shag
Ho Ho it really isn't a gag
Jump Jump don't let your left foot drag
Jeep Jeep it's like a game of tag
Juke Juke it's even good for a stag
Jump jump and do the Johnson Rag
If your feelin' in the groove
It sends you out of the world
Funny how it makes you move
I don't wanna coax
But don't be a "Mokes"
Zig Zig Then add a Zig Zig Zag
Zoop Zoop just let your shoulders wag
Zoom Zoom and now it's right in the bag
Get hep And get happy with the Johnson Rag
Hep Hep There goes the Johnson Rag
Hoy Hoy there goes the latest shag
Ho Ho it really isn't a gag
Hep Hep There goes the Johnson Rag
Jump Jump Don't let your left foot drag
Jeep Jeep It's like a game of tag
Juke Juke It's even good for a stag
Jump jump And do the Johnson Rag
If your feelin' in the groove
It sends you out of the world
Funny how it makes you move
I don't wanna coax
But don't be a "Mokes"
Zig Zig then add a Zig Zig Zag
Zoop Zoop just let your shoulders wag
Zoom Zoom and now it's right in the bag
Esquivel's "Johnson Rag" is a lively tune that captures the essence of the jazz era of the 1940s. The song describes several notable dances of the time like Lindy Hop, Black Bottom and Charlotte Russe, alongside the state of Mississippi and a flood that took place there. The chorus of the song, "Hep Hep there goes the Johnson Rag/Hoy Hoy there goes the latest shag/Ho Ho it really isn't a gag/Hep Hep there goes the Johnson Rag" showcases the infectious nature of their music, encouraging listeners to join in the fun by doing the Johnson Rag dance.
The song speaks to the energy of the time, describing how one can be transported out of the real world by getting into the groove of the music. It is a call to join and enjoy oneself, appealing to people's love of dance and movement. The lyrics also reference the importance of not being a "Mokes," which was slang at the time for someone who could not dance, further encouraging people to let go and join in the fun.
Overall, Esquivel's "Johnson Rag" is a true reflection of the vibrant and energetic world of the jazz era. Its catchy lyrics and upbeat melody make it a must-listen for anyone who loves music and dancing.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnson Flood Mississippi
The song is alluding to the Mississippi flood of 1927 which was one of the worst floods in history.
Mud Black Bottom I got 'em
The lyrics are referencing a popular dance called the 'Black Bottom' which originated in the black communities of the American South, paired with the mud to create a unique synergy.
Lindy Hop Chop chop chop
The 'Lindy Hop' is a popular style of dance that features fast-paced movements, hence the 'chop chop chop' rhythm in the song.
Ch-ch-ch Charlotte Russe Turn on the juice
The Charlotte Russe is a type of dessert that is served cold, and the lyrics are simply encouraging listeners to 'turn up the juice' and enjoy the dance.
Hep Hep there goes the Johnson Rag Hoy Hoy there goes the latest shag Ho Ho it really isn't a gag Hep Hep there goes the Johnson Rag
These lines are simply invocations to dance and enjoy oneself to the music of the Johnson Rag, using playful lyrics and catchy repetition.
Jump Jump don't let your left foot drag Jeep Jeep it's like a game of tag Juke Juke it's even good for a stag Jump jump and do the Johnson Rag
These are instructions on how to perform the dance, emphasizing the fun and playful nature of the Johnson Rag dance.
If your feelin' in the groove It sends you out of the world Funny how it makes you move I don't wanna coax But don't be a 'Mokes'
The lyrics celebrate the transformative power of music and dancing, elevating the dancer to a higher level of enjoyment, while also warning against being a 'Mokes,' or someone who refuses to enjoy themselves.
Zig Zig Then add a Zig Zig Zag Zoop Zoop just let your shoulders wag Zoom Zoom and now it's right in the bag
These lyrics describe the movements involved in the dance, encouraging dancers to add their own creativity and unique flair to the performance.
Get hep And get happy with the Johnson Rag
The lyrics are encouraging listeners to become 'hep,' or cool and stylish, by taking part in the Johnson Rag dance and allowing themselves to simply enjoy the music and movement.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GUY HALL, HENRY KLEINKAUF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind