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.
Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town
Esquivel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I called on dear old Santa Claus
To see what I could see
He took me to his workshop
And told his plans to me, so
[Chorus]
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Santa Claus is comin' to town
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He knows when you're a wake
He knows if you've been bad or good
So be good for goodness sake
Oh! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
You'd better write your letter now
And mail it right away
Because he's getting ready
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
[Chorus]
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Santa Claus is comin' to town
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
So! You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
The lyrics of Esquivel's rendition of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" paint a whimsical and fantastical picture of a journey to the North Pole to visit Santa Claus and his workshop. The singer describes having just returned from a cosmic trip along the Milky Way, where they stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday. The imagery here evokes a sense of magical travel and a sense of wonder associated with the holiday season. Upon visiting Santa Claus, the singer is privy to Santa's plans for Christmas, setting the stage for the magical and mystical elements that follow.
The chorus repeatedly warns that one should be on their best behavior because Santa Claus is coming to town. The lyrics emphasize the idea that Santa is making a list and checking it twice to determine who has been naughty or nice. This classic theme of Santa Claus's omniscience and judgment is woven throughout the song, reminding listeners to be good for goodness' sake, echoing the traditional narrative of children being rewarded with gifts for their good behavior.
The verses continue to describe the festive preparations for Christmas, with mentions of gifts like little tin horns, toy drums, curly head dolls, elephants, boats, and kiddie cars. The mention of building Toyland around the Christmas tree creates a vivid image of a joyful and celebratory atmosphere as children eagerly anticipate the arrival of Santa and the gifts he will bring. This section of the song adds to the enchanting and festive nature of the holiday season that the lyrics evoke.
The final section of the song highlights Santa's busy schedule as he prepares to deliver gifts to millions of children around the world. The urgency is emphasized with the reminder to write and mail letters to Santa promptly. The repetition of the chorus and the descriptions of the various toys and gifts further enhance the cheerful and festive tone of the song, encapsulating the excitement and anticipation often associated with the holiday season. Overall, Esquivel's interpretation of "Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town" captures the joy, magic, and anticipation of Christmas through colorful and playful lyrics that celebrate the spirit of the season.
Line by Line Meaning
I just came back from a lovely trip along the Milky Way
I recently experienced an incredible journey through the galaxy
Stopped off at the North Pole to spend a holiday
I visited the North Pole for a vacation
I called on dear old Santa Claus
I reached out to the beloved Santa Claus
To see what I could see
In order to discover something new
He took me to his workshop
He showed me around his workshop
And told his plans to me, so
And shared his upcoming plans with me
You better watch out, you better not cry
Take caution, avoid crying
Better not pout, I'm telling you why
Don't frown, let me explain why
Santa Claus is comin' to town
Santa is on his way to town
He's making a list and checking it twice
He is creating a list and reviewing it carefully
Gonna find out who's naughty and nice
Determining who has been naughty or nice
He sees you when you're sleepin'
He observes you while you sleep
He knows when you're awake
He is aware when you are awake
He knows if you've been bad or good
He is knowledgeable about your behavior
So be good for goodness sake
Therefore, behave well for the sake of goodness
With little tin horns and little toy drums
Featuring small horns and toy drums
Rooty toot toots and rummy tum tums
Cheerful sounds and rhythms
And curly head dolls that toddle and coo
As well as dollies with curly hair that toddle and coo
Elephants, boats, and kiddie cars too
Also includes elephants, boats, and toy cars
Then kids in Girl and Boy land will have a jubilee
The children in a magical land will have a great time
They're gonna build a Toyland all around the Christmas tree
They will construct a Toyland surrounding the Christmas tree
Now Santa is a busy man, He has no time to play
Santa is occupied and cannot engage in leisure activities
He's got millions of stockings to fill on Christmas day
He needs to fill countless stockings on Christmas
You'd better write your letter now
It is recommended to write your letter promptly
And mail it right away
And send it immediately
Because he's getting ready
Because he is preparing
His reindeer's and his sleigh. So
His reindeer and sleigh. Therefore
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Coots, Haven Gillespie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
jcvenego
Maravillosa música.Gracias Esquivel.
flyingfishsurf
Esquivel was so incredible. No need to remaster his productions. Flawless engineering without computers,
chonenjuanpi
No soy ultra fan de los villancicos, pero los arreglos de Esquivel realmente son excelentes, con un toque alegre y excéntrico que los distingue
PrometeoenLlamas
Sabía de garcía esquivel por sus canciones pero no de sus arreglos y composiciones; gran arreglista y como dicen se adelanto a su tiempo. En México se conoce poco de esta faceta...gracias por subir su musica
mralmeister1
thanks Mr. Maymac! LOVE the Esquivel. :)